Odesa: Supporting the Armed Forces During the War
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Odesa plays a crucial role in supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From February 24, 2022, to July 1, 2025, the city budget has allocated 5.5 billion UAH to combat the aggression of the Russian Federation.
The majority of the funds are directed towards supporting the military, defense forces, and security measures.
As of October 2023, due to new legislative changes, the income tax from military and law enforcement personnel is being redirected from city budgets.
This means over 1 billion UAH annually for Odesa, which is transferred to the state for centralized purchases of drones and electronic warfare systems.
Despite the withdrawal of some resources and budget limitations, Odesa City Council members unanimously continue to approve measures to support the military. Priority is given to units operating on the front lines.
The highest funding for countering the aggression from Russia was allocated in 2024 — 2.16 billion UAH. In the first half of 2025, 632.9 million UAH has already been funded, with an additional 732.7 million UAH expected by the end of the year, including for requests from military units.
Odesa has repeatedly received thanks from military personnel, including Territorial Defense brigades, for their ongoing support and assistance.
Under the Law of Ukraine on the Foundations of National Resistance and the City Assistance Program for TDF, material and technical support has been provided to Odesa brigades amounting to over 379 million UAH: vehicles, drones, EW systems, boats, digital equipment, gear, first-aid kits, charging stations, generators, radios, cameras, simulators, laundry and bath complexes, containers, and more.
In 2025, 91.4 million UAH has been allocated to fulfill requests from any TDF units (regardless of territorial affiliation) under the City Targeted Program. In 2024, nearly 11.4 million UAH was allocated from the city budget to support NGOs that fulfilled TDF requests for purchasing EW systems and drones. An additional 50 million UAH is planned for 2025.
The city is also developing its veteran policy: providing rehabilitation services, creating an accessible environment, supporting families of the fallen and persons with disabilities, and organizing funerals for heroes.
Additionally, one-time assistance is provided to mobilized contractors. Given the regular enemy shelling, Odesa also offers residents material aid for the restoration of broken windows and doors; repairs damaged residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, critical infrastructure, maintains shelters and alert systems, and supports internally displaced persons.
