Next year, the capital's support for defenders will be at least as strong as it is this year, according to Klitschko.

Next year, the Kyiv community will allocate at least the same amount of funds to support the Defense Forces as in 2024. This year, assistance to defenders from the Kyiv budget will amount to approximately 10 billion UAH.

This information is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Telegram channel of the capital's mayor.

"There is no need to speculate about the issue of assistance! Kyiv is the biggest supporter of the military and will continue to do so next year. The overall support for defenders and their families will be no less than this year! In total, for military support in 2024, the capital has already allocated more than 9 billion UAH from the budget. At the next session, there is still an opportunity to allocate 740 million this year. So, in total, it will be nearly 10 billion," stated Vitali Klitschko.

The mayor noted that last year, 7.5 billion UAH was allocated from the Kyiv budget for the needs of the Defense Forces.

Vitali Klitschko also emphasized that support for the Defense Forces is provided not only through the "Defender of Kyiv" program.

"These funds are for the procurement of necessary equipment by the units – drones, electronic warfare systems, vehicles, and more. Additionally, funds are allocated for payments to military personnel and their families, housing, engineering structures, and rehabilitation. The city target program 'Defender of Kyiv' is just one of the programs through which the capital supports the military.

He also pointed out that this is a remainder of funds from the previous year and budget surplus. These funds are directed towards this program. Support for the military and their families is also financed through social support programs, housing provision, medical care, and others.

According to him, for 2025, the "Defender of Kyiv" program will allocate 2.8 billion UAH for military assistance.

"The program will be funded within the first quarter of 2025. There will be a corresponding amendment to the budget project – at my initiative. I remind you that for 2024, this program initially had almost three times less funding," Klitschko emphasized.