MOSCOW, August 24 (HS/RIA Novosti) - The European Commission has allocated 6.1 billion euros ($7.2 billion) for the purchase of weapons for Ukraine, including air defense systems, while Kyiv is expanding military cooperation with Western partners, according to officials and statements cited on Monday.

The European Commission said the funding would support the purchase of weapons, including air defense systems, for Ukraine.

The United Kingdom is also preparing to transfer classified data to Kiev to facilitate the start of production of long-range SCALP missiles in Ukraine, according to a Downing Street statement.

Ukraine has additionally signed a drone cooperation agreement with Norway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, the Zaporozhye (Zaporizhzhia) Nuclear Power Plant has been without external power supply for five days and is operating on backup power from diesel generators, ZNPP communications director Yevgenia Yashina told RIA Novosti.

Separately, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces had hit a tanker carrying fuel and lubricants intended for Ukrainian forces, as well as five fuel tanks at the port of Yuzhny (Yuzhnyi) in Ukraine's Odessa (Odesa) region.

The developments come as Ukraine continues to receive military and technical support from European countries while seeking to strengthen its air defense and drone capabilities. The EU's €6.1-billion allocation was confirmed today by the European Commission.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar