KYIV — Vladimir Putin is intensifying Russia’s pressure on Ukraine, smashing cities, factories, bridges and ports with constant waves of killer drones and missiles. Short on interceptors, Kyiv is having difficulty knocking down Russia’s increasing number of jet-powered drones — and Ukraine’s problems don’t end there. Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi warned journalists this week that Ukraine faces a $27 billion defense funding gap this year, with Kyiv hoping to cover about $7 billion domestically and looking to partners for the rest.
Some EU financing remains tied to reforms Kyiv must pass to unlock the money, while other allies have yet to fill the remaining gap. Overnight, Russia launched more than 190 missiles and drones in a nationwide assault that heavily targeted energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in Kyiv. But an attack of this scale and intensity has not occurred since the end of the last heating season,” Koretskyi said Wednesday.
Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his call for allies to send more air defenses. We must do everything we can to ensure that Russia’s strategy of ballistic and drone terror does not succeed.” Russia, in recent weeks, has escalated near-continuous drone and missile attacks. Air raid alerts are relentless — day and night — in Kyiv.
The strikes have hit railways, energy plants, ports, factories and other critical infrastructure across the country, hammering Ukraine’s economy and adding to pressure on public finances. The government is also considering tax increases as it looks for domestic methods to close part of the defense gap. Without money, Ukraine’s ability to continue resisting Russia would be undermined, Koretskyi warned.
Kyiv needs cash now to place advance orders for weapons and ammunition due next year. This is a critical need that needs to be fulfilled,” he said. Koretskyi told reporters that Kyiv will have to shift spending to keep the country fighting and basic government services functioning.
These funds are intended to ensure payments to military personnel and support for their families,” Koretskyi said. Everything we can do together with our partners, using their funding — and this applies first and foremost to defense orders — must be 100% complete by the end of the year.” Ukraine is not alone in feeling the financial strain. Moscow is also being forced to absorb rising fiscal costs — but its larger economy and ability to raise taxes give it more room to sustain the war.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
