---
title: "Zelenskyy warns of severe winter challenges due to $27 billion defense budget deficit"
description: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a $27 billion defense budget deficit and urged the EU to accelerate a financial tranche to prevent a winter drone crisis."
date: 2026-09-25T09:28:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-warns-of-severe-winter-challenges-due-to-27-bln-deficit
tags: [zelenskyy, ukraine-budget, defense-deficit, drones, eu]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy warns of severe winter challenges due to $27 billion defense budget deficit

![Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussing Ukraine's defense budget deficit](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/25/zelenskiy-predupredil-o-serveznyh-vyzovah-iz-za-deficitsa-27-mlrd/zelenskiy-predupredil-o-serveznyh-vyzovah-iz-za-deficitsa-27-mlrd-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The deficit in Ukraine's Ministry of Defense budget amounts to $27 billion.
- About a third of these funds are needed for drones and missiles in January and February.
- Zelenskyy urged the European Commission to speed up the transfer of the second aid tranche.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a critical funding shortfall in the Ministry of Defense budget, estimated at $27 billion. According to the head of state, this amount includes not only partial military allowances but also key expenditures for the procurement of drones, missiles, and logistics supply for the army in the coming months.

### Defense deficit structure and winter risks

The head of state explained that a significant portion of the deficient funds is allocated for financing defense orders from October to December of the current year, as well as the beginning of next year.  The President emphasized that if Ukraine fails to place orders and make prepayments for drones in October and November 2026, the country will face unprecedented frontline challenges in January and February due to a shortage of weapons.

### International negotiations and partners' stance

To resolve the emerging issue, Ukrainian authorities are actively negotiating with international partners, including the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. Since the IMF does not directly finance military needs, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the European Commission to accelerate the allocation and bring forward the second tranche of large-scale financial aid to guarantee uninterrupted supplies of missiles and drones at the beginning of winter.

### Contradictory data

There are varying estimates within expert circles and government groups regarding the actual financial needs of the defense and security forces. Official statements mention a $27 billion deficit, with about $10 billion needed urgently. Meanwhile, informed sources in government authorities report that the overall needs of the Defense Forces for the next year may exceed planned budget expenditures by $75 billion, requiring urgent and unconventional decisions at the state level.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Зеленский о "дыре" в бюджете в 27 млрд: возможны серьезные вызовы на январь и февраль](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-diru-byudzheti-27-mlrd-mozhlivi-1790327619.html) - Основное заявление президента Украины о дефиците в 27 млрд долларов и закупке дронов.
- [Если Украина не проплатит дроны в октябре из-за дефицита оборонного бюджета, будут «серьезные ...](https://hromadske.ua/ru/voyna/271534-esli-ukraina-ne-proplatit-drony-v-oktyabre-iz-za-defitsita-oboronnogo-byudzheta-budut-sereznye-vyzovy-zimoy-zelenskiy) - Подтверждение слов президента относительно сроков контрактации БПЛА на зиму.
- [Зеленский призвал Верховную раду принять «непопулярные решения»](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/09/15/29324773.shtml) - Подтверждено по источнику gazeta.ru
- [Зеленский рассказал врагам России о "космическом" дефиците финансирования - 18.09.2026 Украина.ру](https://ukraina.ru/20260918/vladimir-zelenskiy-nazval-kosmicheskim-defitsit-finansirovaniya--1083293431.html) - Подтверждено по источнику ukraina.ru

## ❓ FAQ