EU releases first €3.9 billion to help Ukraine procure drones

The European Commission has begun disbursing €3.9 billion to Ukraine as the first payment under a €6 billion tranche dedicated to drone procurement, aimed at strengthening the country's defence against Russia's invasion.

The payment follows an earlier €3.2 billion instalment provided on June 25 under the European Union's dedicated Macro-Financial Assistance programme for Ukraine. The Commission said additional payments would be made in the coming days until the first €6 billion tranche for drones has been fully disbursed, in line with Ukraine's funding requests, Caliber.Az reports.

Ukraine's ingenuity lies at the heart of its success in resisting Russia's full-scale invasion.

It is this ingenuity that we want to support.

Today, we are providing a first €3.9 billion for advanced drone technology to strengthen Ukraine's defence.

More will follow.… pic.twitter.com/9ZOqHEuySj

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 30, 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the funding reflects the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defence capabilities.

“Ukraine's ingenuity lies at the heart of its success in resisting Russia's full-scale invasion. It is this ingenuity that we want to support. Today, we are providing a first €3.9 billion for advanced drone technology to strengthen Ukraine's defence. More will follow,” von der Leyen wrote on X.

The funding is part of the Ukraine Support Loan established under Regulation (EU) 2026/467, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in February 2026.

The programme provides up to €90 billion in support for Ukraine. According to the European Commission, the assistance is divided into two components: strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and defence industry, and supporting the continued functioning of the state, the delivery of essential public services and the country's economic resilience.

By Sabina Mammadli