Support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the Kyiv budget should increase - a meeting of MPs with the inhabitants of Kyiv was held under the walls of KMDA

The capital's support for the armed forces should continue to grow, despite bureaucratic and political obstacles.

This was discussed at a joint meeting of deputies of the Kyiv City Council with the community under the walls of the Kyiv City Council on Saturday, September 23, reports the KMDA website.

As Secretary of the Kyiv City Council Volodymyr Bondarenko noted during a meeting with the initiative group of Kyiv residents, the city's support for the Armed Forces consists in providing financial resources for the purchase of drones, equipment and the implementation of priority needs of military units, etc.

Kyiv's Commitment to Supporting the Armed Forces

“Since February 24, 2022, Kiev has already spent over UAH 4.6 billion on security, defense and supplies for defenders and their families. Of this: almost UAH 3.5 billion went in the form of subsidies for weapons, equipment, drones, equipment and other priority needs of the city's military units carrying out combat tasks on the front line; over UAH 700 million for the payment of material assistance to defenders and their families; The amount of UAH 439 million is intended to provide housing for defenders and their families, said Volodymyr Bondarenko.

He recalled that the Kyiv City Council allocated a total of UAH 5 billion to support the army this year. Kyiv has already spent over UAH 2 billion to eliminate the effects of Russian aggression.

Financial Backing for Military Endeavors

Volodymyr Bondarenko, the Secretary of the Kyiv City Council, emphasized during his interactions with an initiative group of Kyiv residents that the city's support for the Armed Forces primarily entails providing financial resources for critical needs such as the acquisition of drones, equipment, and addressing priority requirements of military units.

Since February 24, 2022, Kyiv has channeled a staggering sum of over UAH 4.6 billion towards the cause of security, defense, and the welfare of the defenders and their families. This substantial allocation can be broken down as follows: nearly UAH 3.5 billion was allocated for subsidies to procure weapons, equipment, drones, and other vital supplies for the city's military units actively engaged in combat duties on the front lines. An additional UAH 700 million was earmarked for providing material assistance to the defenders and their families, while UAH 439 million was dedicated to facilitating housing for these brave individuals, as informed by Volodymyr Bondarenko.

In the broader context of financial support, it's worth noting that the Kyiv City Council had initially earmarked a total of UAH 5 billion to aid the armed forces for the current year, underlining the city's unwavering commitment to this cause. As of now, Kyiv has already disbursed over UAH 2 billion towards mitigating the consequences of Russian aggression, further highlighting the city's steadfast dedication to the well-being of its defenders and their families.

The Crucial Role of Kyiv in the Nation's Well-being

Bondarenko also underscored the critical role Kyiv plays in shaping the nation's fortunes. The capital city's economic stability and functionality have a profound impact on the overall situation within the country. However, when it comes to supporting the Armed Forces, there is a resounding call for maximum cooperation between local and central authorities, as well as active engagement from the public.

He stated, "It is important that the city lives and works for victory. Decisions regarding support for the city's most important activities should be approached with the utmost care. Critical infrastructure, decision-making centers, communications, communication routes, and much more – all of this must be kept in prime condition. Therefore, the budgetary allocation for these areas should also be maintained at the requisite level."

Laws Affecting Local Budgets and Military Support

In addition to discussing ongoing efforts and funding allocations, the participants at the meeting delved into the intricacies of draft law No. 10037. This proposal aims to redirect the "military" personal income tax from local budgets to the state budget. Dmytro Bilotserkovets, a member of the Kyiv City Council, shed light on the matter, indicating that there is a desire to remove legislative restrictions that currently prohibit local governments from directly making purchases in the interest of military units.

While the relevant bill has been submitted to Parliament for consideration, legislators appear to be in no rush to adopt it and are instead exploring options to shift tax revenues away from municipalities. This discussion highlights the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding the allocation of resources in support of Ukraine's Armed Forces, underscoring the importance of Kyiv's dedication to maintaining a robust backing for its military personnel.