Ukraine is short $20 billion to continue active combat operations in 2027, says Koretsky
Ukraine currently faces a shortfall of $20 billion out of a total defense funding gap of $27 billion needed to continue active combat operations, particularly in the first quarter of 2027.
Ukraine’s total defense funding shortfall this year amounts to $27 billion. Of this amount, the government plans to cover approximately $7 billion through cost savings, optimization, and the reallocation of budget expenditures.
“The defense funding shortfall for this year is $27 billion, of which the government plans to cover about $7 billion through cost savings, optimization, and the reallocation of expenditures. These funds are intended, among other things, to ensure payments to military personnel and support for their families. The remaining $20 billion is the subject of negotiations with our partners. Our ability to conduct active combat operations, particularly in the first quarter of 2027, depends on these funds,” Koretsky emphasized.
The prime minister explained that the funds are primarily needed to finance weapons production, particularly long-range weapons.
According to Koretskyi, this refers to weapons that the Ukrainian army will be able to use in the winter and early 2027.
“This is our opportunity to take the war back to where it came from. This is a critical need that must be met,” the head of government stressed.
Koretsky also explained how the stated deficit figure was calculated.
According to him, the total “cost” of the war for Ukraine in 2026 amounts to $155 billion. As the prime minister noted, this was the exact figure that the then-leadership of the Ministry of Defense presented to partners in February 2026 during a “Ramstein” format meeting.
This amount includes both budgetary funding and off-budget logistical assistance from international partners.
“Extrabudgetary assistance includes, in particular, missiles, equipment, and other weapons that partners provide not in the form of money but as specific items. For example, these include PAC-2 or PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system, launchers, aircraft, and so on,” Koretsky noted.
He also noted that the figure of $155 billion was reiterated in the “Financial Strategy” document, which the government submitted to the European Union in March 2026 as part of the dialogue regarding the Ukraine Support Loan.
Thus, $27 billion represents the amount of expenditures that remain unfunded as of today, which, according to Koretsky, were anticipated in advance.
Of this amount, Ukraine plans to cover $7 billion with its own resources through cost savings and the reallocation of expenditures, while the government is negotiating with international partners regarding the remaining $20 billion.
Ukraine’s total defense budget deficit currently stands at €23 billion. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara called on international partners to make the necessary financial decisions by November.
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