Zelenskyy expects Fedorov to close deficit in defense funding and increase supply of soldiers at frontline

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects newly appointed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to close the deficit in defense funding and increase financial support for soldiers on the front line. Zelenskyy said this on his Telegram channel, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

Zelenskyy also said that he had held a meeting with Fedorov, at which they identified the first priorities of the Defense Ministry.

The main thing, according to the President, is the protection of the sky, there are specific decisions that should be implemented as soon as possible.

In addition, in coordination with the military, the technological component should be significantly strengthened to stop the advance of the russian occupiers on the battlefield, as well as to solve problematic issues of supplying the front.

"In particular, an audit of funding for the defense sector will be promptly conducted. Mykhailo will present ways to close the deficits. We are also preparing solutions to increase the financial support of our soldiers on the front line," the President said.

Zelenskyy also named the supply of drones among his priorities - the Ministry of Defense should introduce a basic level of supply of combat brigades with drones, the purchase of specialized drones to defeat the enemy at a greater depth of the front.

In addition, Zelenskyy expects Fedorov to propose systemic solutions to the problems that have accumulated with territorial recruitment and social support centers.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on Wednesday, January 14, the Verkhovna Rada appointed Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense.

Fedorov, 34, previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation since July 2025