Fedorov's team says drone purchases did not cause funding shortfall for military payments
The team of former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the use of funds to purchase drones in early 2026 did not result in a funding shortfall for payments to military personnel, since, following the receipt of the first tranche of a European loan, those funds were reimbursed and returned to the budget in July.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's team refuted claims that his decision to purchase drones in early 2026 caused a funding shortfall for military personnel. The team argued that after receiving the first tranche of a European loan, the funds used for drone purchases were reimbursed and returned to the budget in July.
This claim was dismissed as "fake news" by Fedorov's press office, who noted that the ministry had a minimal budget and a shortage of drones when Fedorov took over in January 2026. The team explained that funding was temporarily shifted to the beginning of the year, with compensation covered by the first tranche of the European loan, which was received in July.
The procurements, which included various types of drones, were made based on data and direct interaction with combat units to support the front lines and launch a logistical lockdown. The team called the claim that Fedorov's leadership caused a budget shortfall as part of a "systematic campaign to spread disinformation about Mykhailo Fedorov."
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