The European Union (EU) has disbursed another €2.86 billion ($3.1 billion) to Ukraine for air defense, particularly drones and missiles, as the country nears its fifth winter of Russia’s aggression.
The European Commission confirmed the payment on Wednesday, Oct. 14, made under the defense component of the €90 billion (approx. $100 billion) Ukraine Support Loan. The funds will also cover radars, electronic warfare systems and ammunition.
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“Amid intensified Russian attacks on our cities and critical infrastructure, this support is vital,” Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said in a statement on Telegram.
“More drones, air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition mean stronger protection for our people and greater capabilities for our defenders on the front line,” he added, noting that Kyiv is working with European partners to secure the rest of the defense funding without further delays.
Funds arrive as Russia escalates its air campaign
The disbursement follows one of Russia’s heaviest strikes on Ukraine’s energy system this autumn.
Overnight on Oct. 13-14, Ukraine’s Defense Forces recorded roughly 39 missiles and 128 launched by Russia, which left at least 600,000 people without power according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“As Russia stalls on the frontlines, it continues to escalate its aerial attacks – cruelly targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure,” President of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen said.
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The defense payments are expected to reach Ukraine in the upcoming weeks.
What remains for 2026
Ukraine still has €29.64 billion (roughly $33 billion) in EU financial support available for the rest of the year, according to the Commission.
That includes €25.24 billion ($28 billion) under the Ukraine Support Loan, split between €12.54 billion (approx. $14 billion) for Ukraine’s defense industry and €12.7 billion (about $14 billion) in budget support, plus €4.4 billion (about $5 billion) left under the earlier Ukraine Facility.
Budget payments depend on Kyiv meeting conditions set out in the Ukraine Plan and a memorandum of understanding with the EU.
Ukraine had received €1.2 billion (roughly $1.3 billion) just a week earlier, on Oct. 7, bringing total funding received under the program to nearly €13 billion ($14.5 billion) according to Koretskyi.
Mid-September, Koretskyi warned Ukraine risks losing a substantial amount of $29.5 billion in planned international financing if the parliament misses deadlines for required legislation.
The government has moved its deadline for 42 required decisions to Oct. 15 as it prepares for winter pressure on the budget.
According to the European Commission, the Ukraine Support Loan was adopted in February 2026, and it provides up to €90 billion (approx. $100 billion) over 2026-27, with an indicative €60 billion ($67 billion) for defense and €30 billion ($33 billion) for the budget.
The Council approved this year’s allocation on April 23 after Ukraine submitted its financing strategy.
Since 2022, the EU and its member states have provided €231.5 billion ($258 billion) in total support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion ($4.2 billion) from proceeds of immobilized Russian assets.
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