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Ukraine ranked eighth in terms of defense spending, with a corresponding figure of $64.8 billion, accounting for 58% of total public spending in 2023. This was revealed in the study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In his comment on Hromadske Radio Valeriy Ryabykh, a military expert and editor of the «Defense Express» said:
«When we talk about Ukraine being in eighth place in terms of the amount of funds allocated from the budget, we are referring solely to the funds allocated directly by Ukraine. Of course, when military spending comprises 58% of the total, it is an atypical situation. However, in the context of a large-scale war with Russia, the country’s survival is at stake, so Ukraine has aimed to maximize the available funds to counter this aggression», — says Ryabykh.
The actual cost of Ukraine’s defense in 2023 is higher, as it consists not only of our country’s funds but also of assistance from our partners.
«This amounts to $35 billion that Ukraine received in 2023. It is noteworthy that more than $25 billion of these funds is assistance from the United States. Thanks to Ukraine’s maximized defense spending and the support of its partners, we have managed to achieve a kind of parity with the costs of the Russian Federation in this war. According to SIPRI estimates, Ukraine’s total expenditures are about 91% of Russia’s», — the expert notes.
These costs include meeting the army’s various needs: purchasing weapons, salaries, food, etc.
«Maintenance of the army includes both salaries of military personnel and provision of clothing, food, and other types of support. All of this is also considered defense spending. Specifically in Ukraine, it is challenging to calculate what percentage of funds is allocated for the purchase of weapons. Globally, the average figure for arms procurement is 20% of total defense spending», — explains Ryabykh.