Ukraine increases budget spending by UAH 537 bln, mostly on defense

MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has boosted state budget spending for 2023 by UAH 537 billion, of which UAH 518.2 billion is for the national security and defense sector, the Ukrainian media reported, citing deputy of the Servant of the People faction Roksolana Pidlasa.

"The law stipulates an increase in state budget spending by UAH 537.2 billion, of which 96.5% is allocated to the national security and defense sector. In particular, UAH 518 billion is allocated for the needs of the troops (monetary support of the military, food, production and purchase of special equipment, in particular, drones). UAH 19 billion is allocated to replenish the reserve fund of the state budget, which is used for unforeseen and urgent measures," the media quoted Pidlasa's post on social media.

She also noted that the Verkhovna Rada Budget Committee added to the bill a regulation that the reserve fund should be used, in particular, to pay a lump sum of monetary assistance to the families of fallen troops (not less than UAH 3 billion in 2023) and the construction of fortifications (not less than UAH 2 billion).

The lawmaker said the bill would be enacted after the president signs it.