Ukraine: the Army Expands, but There is No Money

• 06.20.2015, 00:37
•  Europe

As a result of the last few mobilizations in Ukraine the Army now exceeds 250 thousand prescribed in the law. This was declared by the Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Yuri Gusev in the Supreme Rada. According to him, the number of the armed forces has doubled in a year, and the army cannot provide its soldiers with necessary items and food.

"Is the money provided by the state budget sufficient for providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with logistics? It is insufficient. The state budget was calculated for 140 thousand soldiers, but they now have 250 thousand soldiers. Taking into consideration the possible wave of mobilization, the number of the soldiers will exceed 250 thousand,” the Deputy Defense Minister declared.

It should be mentioned that since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine the allocations for the army has drastically increased. Moreover, NGOs are regularly organizing fundraising for supporting the army and the volunteer groups. In addition, the United States and several European countries during this period have provided the Ukrainian armed forces with a variety of weapons, as well as with food.

The huge expenses on the other hand raise various questions concerning the efficiency, as the level of corruption both in the Ukrainian state system and in the army is quite high.

It can be expected that in the near future the situation over financing of the army will become harder, as the Defense Ministry, in addition to the costs for providing the army with logistics, will ask additional means for reforming the army so as it is in compliance with the NATO standards. For this purpose an office of reforms has already been opened, which presupposes quite large expenses and will last for a long time, which supposes changes starting from tactical approaches to military uniforms.