Ukraine spends over UAH 1 trln for defense in Jan-Sept 2023 - PM Shmygal

MOSCOW. Oct 23 (Interfax) - Ukraine has spent over UAH 1 trillion for defense purposes since the start of 2023, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"As much as 2.119 trillion was spent from the state budget's general fund over the first nine months of 2023," Ukrainian media quoted Shmygal as saying at a government meeting las Friday.

This sum includes UAH 682 billion in salaries paid to the military and UAH 349 billion to procure military hardware, weapons, ammunition, defense products, and individual protection items for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Shmygal said.

"That is, we have spent over UAH 1 trillion for our defense this year. In fact, half of all the funds we spend finance the country's defense and security," he said.