Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that mobilization is proceeding according to plan, with most Ukrainians consciously responding to summonses. To increase trust in the work of the TCC, the implementation of body cameras is planned.
The Government of Ukraine has allowed drone and EW manufacturers to include loan costs in the price of state contracts. This will allow including up to 10% of the product's cost.
In Ukraine, a new direction of the "Contract 18-24" program is being launched for drone operators. It provides for a two-year service term and a payment of UAH 1 million in three stages.
Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal announced that families of military personnel who died in captivity will receive 15 million hryvnias regardless of the cause of death. The law also extends the period for receiving payments for injuries or illnesses that led to partial loss of working capacity to one year.
Nine countries have officially expressed interest in borrowing funds from the EU military procurement program SAFE by the deadline. Poland plans to request 25 billion euros, and Greece – at least 1.2 billion euros.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine discussed military support with Latvia and Spain. Latvia transferred UAVs and 42 Patria 6x6 APCs, Spain helps with air defense and military training.
Ukraine and the USA discussed progress in implementing agreements on defense support and cooperation, including joint drone production. Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal thanked the USA for its support, particularly for the transfer of Patriot systems and long-range weapons.
The Ukrainian government has appointed new deputy ministers of defense, who are to implement systemic changes in the defense sector. The team includes Ivan Havryliuk, Serhiy Boyev, Anna Hvozdiar, Volodymyr Zaverukha, Yuriy Myronenko, and Oksana Ferchuk.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved personnel changes in the Ministry of Defense; the new head will receive two deputies. An audit of agreements with partners is also underway, and defense financing has been discussed.
President Zelenskyy has changed the composition of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, approving Rustem Umerov as coordinator. Yulia Svyrydenko, Mykhailo Fedorov, and Denys Shmyhal have joined the Staff, while O. Lytvynenko and H. Smetanin have been removed.
A grant program from the Brave1 platform is being launched in Ukraine to scale up the production of explosives and components for ammunition. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a corresponding resolution, which provides for a transparent procedure and technical expertise.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed with French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu joint drone production in Ukraine and grant support for the Ukrainian defense industry up to €200 million. Ukraine also expects a new aid package from Sweden after a conversation with Minister of Defense Pål Jonson.
She has experience in the hotel business and headed Serhiy Prytula's charitable foundation.
Four Ukrainian manufacturers of interceptor drones have already received state contracts worth over UAH 3 billion. Negotiations are underway with state banks regarding lending to manufacturers under state guarantees, and the Ministry of Defense is attracting funding from partners.
Ukraine has signed four new contracts for interceptor drones worth over 3 billion hryvnias. This is in addition to the already purchased volumes of drone production, including partnership procurements.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis Ukraine's integration into the SAFE initiative. The goal is to increase the production capacities of Europe's defense industry and strengthen security.
The Ministry of Defense is preparing changes to the resolution that will allow including interest on loans in the cost of production. This will simplify work for defense sector enterprises and strengthen their financial support.
Next year, Ukraine will need at least $120 billion for defense. Half of this amount is expected to be raised with the support of allies, as announced by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
US President's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, during his visit to Kyiv, discussed with the Ukrainian side the necessary weapons, including Patriot systems, and joint arms production. The visit took place in the context of agreements between the leaders of the US and Ukraine, confirming the continuation of high-level dialogue.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte summarized the results of the Ramstein meeting and coordinated further work. They discussed a new initiative to purchase American weapons, including Patriot systems, for Ukraine.
At the 29th meeting in the "Ramstein" format, partners announced key decisions regarding strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. The USA is initiating a new mechanism jointly with NATO for European countries to purchase American weapons, and the Netherlands is allocating 125 million euros for the maintenance of F-16 aircraft.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in the SAFE loan program for financing in 2026. The "Building with Ukraine" initiative is also being developed to expand joint defense-industrial projects.
People's deputies submitted amendments to the draft laws on the creation of Defence City so that aircraft manufacturing enterprises receive the same preferences as other participants in the defense-industrial complex. This will allow preserving human potential and developing Ukraine's aviation capabilities.
Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $6 billion to close the gap in defense procurement this year. These funds will allow for increased drone production, strengthened air defense, and strikes against Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defense assistance to Ukraine, particularly strengthening air defense. The parties also discussed joint defense production, including the manufacturing of drones in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, up to 30,000 people are mobilized monthly according to the plans of the General Staff and the Command of the Armed Forces. MP Fedir Venislavsky noted that recruitment is significantly increasing, exceeding 10% of the total number of citizens entering military service.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to conduct an audit of all defense agreements with partners. He expects a report from NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal within 10 days.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to contract all effective interceptor drones this week and to increase the frequency and range of drone use against Russian targets. He also set the task of bringing the share of Ukrainian weapons in the Defense Forces to 50% within six months.
Taras Melnychuk has been reappointed as the permanent representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada. Kostiantyn Maryevich, the State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers, and his first deputy, Oleksandr Yarema, have also been reappointed.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine liquidated the Ministry of Strategic Industries, transferring its functions to the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Defense is now the successor to the property, rights, and obligations of the liquidated ministry.
