Ukrainian Minister: Working on decision on additional 370 billion hryvnias for arms procurement

Photo: Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine (Getty Images)

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is working to ensure that the Cabinet of Ministers allocates an additional UAH 370 billion for the purchase of weapons, according to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.

He said that together with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi he constantly works in the frontline regions. There, brigade commanders talk about their main needs.

Umerov says that Ukraine is currently exploring new possibilities to support Ukrainian defense industry enterprises to meet the logistical needs of its defenders.

"Currently, we are working on the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision to allocate an additional UAH 370 billion for the purchase of weapons," he said.

According to the Minister, recently he visited the Kharkiv direction, where heavy fighting is ongoing. He heard a report on the operational situation in the region from the commanders of the brigades that are restraining the enemy's efforts in the region.

Umerov also reported on a productive meeting with the regional leadership and the Security Service of Ukraine to discuss the current situation and ways to improve it.

Growth of the Ukrainian defense industry

In February, Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin said that in 2023, the Ukrainian defense industry grew sixfold.

In particular, the production of ammunition and drones was significantly increased.

Also recently, EU diplomat Josep Borrell called on NATO countries to increase arms production in Ukraine.