Commission disburses €3.9 billion for drones under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan

June 30, 2026 by The Sting's Team Leave a Comment

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The European Commission begins disbursement today of €3.9 billion as the first payment under the first tranche of around €6 billion dedicated to drone procurement, a key capability enabling Ukraine to withstand Russia’s war of aggression.

This disbursement follows the Commission’s first €3.2 billion instalment to Ukraine under the dedicated Macro-Financial Assistance programme made on 25 June. Further payments will be made in the coming days until the first tranche for drones is fully covered, in accordance with Ukraine’s payment requests.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “Ukraine’s ingenuity is at the heart of its success in resisting Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ingenuity we want to support. Today, we are releasing a first tranche of €3.9 billion for advanced drone technology to strengthen Ukraine’s defence. And more will follow. These investments will help Ukraine protect its citizens, defend its sovereignty, and reinforce Europe’s security. Europe stands firmly with Ukraine for as long it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace.”

As a country at war, Ukraine’s military edge depends on the rapid availability of critical products in the required quantities and within very short timeframes. This is part of the larger €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which provides €30 billion for budgetary aid and €60 billion for defence support across 2026 and 2027. In 2026, €28.3 billion of the €60 billion defence package will be disbursed to support Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity.

In line with the Ukraine Support Loan Regulation, the Commission is checking the contracts provided in support of this request. These checks ensure that the financial assistance is used for procurement agreed with the Commission and Member States.

Upcoming disbursements will continue to cover drone procurement while extending to ammunition, missiles and air defence systems, reflecting the Union’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Background

In February 2026, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/467 establishing the Ukraine Support Loan (USL). The Regulation provides for up to €90 billion in support to Ukraine. The support is structured around two complementary components: assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and defence industrial capacities, and support to ensure the continued functioning of the state, maintain essential public services and strengthen economic resilience.

Following Ukraine’s submission of its Financing Strategy in March 2026, the Council adopted, on 23 April 2026, an Implementing Decision determining the assistance to be made available to Ukraine in 2026. The Decision provides for up to €45 billion in support for 2026, comprising €16.7 billion in budget support and €28.3 billion in support for Ukraine’s defence industrial capacities. The budget support component is split equally between a top-up to the Ukraine Facility and a new Macro Financial Assistance operation, each amounting to up to €8.35 billion. The Commission disbursed the first €3.2 billion instalment to Ukraine under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan on 25 June.

The defence component focuses on the reconstruction, recovery and modernisation of Ukraine’s defence technological and industrial base. It aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defence industrial readiness and support its gradual integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, through close cooperation between the Union and Ukraine.

Funding decisions are based on Ukraine’s evolving needs. All expenditure is subject to agreed conditions and monitoring.

Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States have provided €211.3 billion in overall support to Ukraine and Ukrainians, including €3.8 billion from the proceeds of immobilised Russian assets.

For more information

Macro-Financial Assistance

Macro-Financial Assistance to Ukraine

Ukraine Facility Commission presents a financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027

Ukraine Support Loan

Regulation (EU) 2026/467 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027

Commission takes preparatory steps on financial support for Ukraine and boosting drone production

Commission Implementing Decision validating the use of derogations for drones in Ukraine

Factsheet – EU solidarity with Ukraine

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