Zelensky announces fundamental changes in airspace defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has summoned senior military officials to address shortcomings in air defense and civilian protection nearly four years after the start of the war with Russia.

According to him, some regions are undergoing a virtually complete overhaul of their air defense systems, including mobile units and interception teams. At the same time, however, he indicated that the changes would also affect other areas of defense.

Zelensky once again criticized local authorities, especially in Kyiv, for their slow response to the consequences of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Thousands of households in the capital are still struggling with heating outages as temperatures drop well below zero.

Problems have also been reported in the regions of Kharkiv, Poltava, and Odesa. The president emphasized that those responsible will be held personally accountable for the failures.

(reuters, mja)