Interview with Yevhen Khmara
The acting Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Yevhen Khmara, in an interview with American blogger Laura Loomer for Loomered, explained Ukraine's asymmetric strategy in the war with Russia. He emphasized the importance of strikes on Russian oil refineries and revealed details of the 'Spider' operation carried out by the unit he previously commanded. Khmara noted that the goal of Ukrainian strikes is to ensure their costs are about 2% of the damage they inflict on Russia.
Priorities in the Ministry of Defense
Yevhen Khmara, who previously headed the Special Operations Center 'A' of the SBU, also laid out his priorities in the Ministry of Defense. In particular, he mentioned:
- protecting supply routes from Russian drones;
- providing units with necessary resources;
- timely delivery of resources to the fighters.
He noted that Ukraine critically needs the ability to produce interceptor missiles for the Patriot system to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.
In the interview, Khmara shared personal motives related to his family. His brother died in the war, and two of his sons—aged 11 and 9. Khmara expressed the desire to end hostilities before his sons reach conscription age.
“Do not send a person where you are not ready to go yourself,” highlighted the minister, stressing the importance of trust among the military.He also added:
“Russia is interested in terrorizing civilians. Ukraine is interested in protecting its people,” emphasized Khmara.
Another important topic discussed in the interview was the government's negotiations with Raytheon regarding missiles for Patriot, as well as Khmara's agreement with the new commander-in-chief Drapaty. Khmara stressed the need for asymmetric action: “We cannot respond to a strike with a strike. We need to act asymmetrically.” He underlined that he has a real picture of what is being used, what can be applied against the enemy, and what might be most effective in the future.
Yevhen Khmara's statements in this interview reflect Ukraine's strategy in wartime, focusing on the importance of adaptation and innovation in response to Russian actions. The focus on asymmetric strikes and the protection of critical infrastructure underscores Ukraine’s commitment not only to preserving its resources but also to inflicting maximum damage on the enemy with minimal costs. Such statements highlight the importance of international support and technological cooperation with companies that can provide Ukraine with necessary military resources.
As Ukraine continues to implement its asymmetric strategy, it is essential to understand the broader context of its military approach. The ongoing offensive and technological pressure on Russia plays a crucial role in this strategy, highlighting the importance of maintaining a proactive stance in the conflict. For more insights on how Ukraine plans to sustain this pressure, read our detailed coverage on Ukraine's ongoing military operations.