The financial system of Ukraine is facing a new challenge: in the fall, regular payments to servicemen may be at risk. According to Economic Pravda, citing sources in government and parliament, the Ministry of Defense has already spent some of the funds that have been provided for payments in the last months of 2025.
According to the publication, in the first quarter of the Ministry of Defense began to use budget resources laid at the end of the year. It is, in particular, about funds that should provide cash in September-December. This money is currently aimed at purchasing shells, drones and other weapons, which is essential to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the front.
The total amount of expended or in advance has exceeded 200 billion hryvnias. In some cases, the state actually spent the money that should be directed to the September payments.
The budget on the border
of the state budget for 2025 expenditures on the Ministry of Defense is 1,568 trillion hryvnias. It is only UAH 31 billion more than in 2024. In this case, the budget has already approached the limit that the economy can withstand, even despite last year's increase in tax revenues.
In such a situation, the country risks to be without reserves for the army in the fall. This can not only create a financial crisis, but also hit the moral condition of the Ukrainian soldiers who are at risk of life on the forefront daily.
A little time
to avoid a critical situation, the Government and the Verkhovna Rada have to prepare changes to the budget in the near future. Ideally, by August, in September, funds are available for full funding for the military.
These changes should not only balance existing expenses, but also provide additional sources of financing, in particular at the expense of internal or external loans, tax revenues or assistance to partners.
The Ukrainian army remains the main shield of the state. Therefore, ensuring its financial stability is not only a matter of economy, but also a matter of survival of the country in the war.
