172 million dollars a day: Ukraine prepares to spend $120 billion on defense in 2026
15 September 14:41
Ukraine is currently spending $172 million a day on the war, $32 million more than in 2024. This amount includes military salaries, the purchase of weapons and ammunition, as well as support for the wounded, missing, and families of the dead, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
In total, 31% of GDP is spent on defense, which is the highest in the world.
Needs for the next year
According to Roksolana Pidlasa, head of the Rada’s budget committee, Ukraine will need at least $120 billion in 2026.
- 60 billion is planned to be provided at the expense of its own budget;
- another 60 billion – in the form of arms and equipment supplies through international platforms: ” Ramstein, PURL, SAFE, the Danish model, etc.
“Realistically, we cannot match Russia’s $150 billion military budget. But we are striving to mobilize at least 120 billion,” the MP said at the Yalta European Strategy conference.
The legal aspect of assistance
Pidlasa called on international partners to allow the use of direct budget support for defense spending. Currently, only the United Kingdom does this.
She also emphasized that the best solution is to use frozen Russian assets to reduce the burden on EU taxpayers.
Government forecasts
The Budget Declaration for 2026-2028 takes into account two scenarios:
- in the case of a ceasefire – UAH 1.8 trillion of defense spending;
- in case of a continuation of the high-intensity war – UAH 2.6 trillion.
As a reminder, in July 2025, the Rada already increased defense spending by UAH 412 billion to cover the deficit for military payments.
According to SIPRI, Ukraine spent 29% of GDP on defense in 2024, but the figure continues to grow.
For comparison, the average level of defense spending in NATO countries is 2% of GDP.
