Ukraine’s Zelenskiy announces new air defence system
January 19 (Reuters) – Ukrainian armed forces are introducing a new aspect of air defense to transform their system of small groups of pre-emptive unmanned aerial vehicles as Ukraine prepares for new mass Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday.
Ukraine is still reeling from a wave of Russian attacks earlier this month that knocked out electricity and heating to thousands of apartment blocks, especially in the capital Kiev.
Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, including increasing aid from its Western allies.
“There will be a new approach to the use of air defenses regarding the Air Force’s mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and other ‘short-range’ air defense assets,” Zelenskiy said in his video speech at night.
“The system will change”
The President announced the appointment of the new Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Pavlo Yelizarov, to oversee and develop the innovation.
Ukraine has rapidly developed its drone production system since Russia launched its invasion of its smaller neighbor in February 2022, emphasizing interceptor drones as an effective and economical way to fend off Russian attacks.
In his speech, Zelenskiy warned Ukrainians to be “extremely alert” before expected new Russian attacks.
“Russia has prepared for a strike, a major strike, and is waiting for the right moment to carry it out,” he said, calling on every region in the country to “be ready to react as quickly as possible and help people.”
Both Zelenskiy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned over the weekend that Ukrainian intelligence had recorded Russia conducting reconnaissance against specific targets, particularly substations that feed nuclear power plants.
The president also said he had instructed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to make decisions this week regarding the difficulties arising from the recent attacks, including bonuses for tens of thousands of emergency team members who have restored heating and electricity.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
