Ukrainian President Criticizes Air Force Performance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a sharp critique of the Ukrainian Air Force's operations, stressing that the country's approach to countering Russian attacks must change. This statement follows a major assault by Russian forces on January 20, 2026, which involved a massive and diverse barrage of weaponry:
- one 'Zircon' anti-ship missile,
- 18 ballistic missiles, including 'Iskander-M' and 'S-300' systems,
- 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles,
- and 339 attack drones.
The attack resulted in confirmed strikes from five missiles and 24 attack drones across 11 locations, with debris from downed drones falling in 12 other areas. This relentless assault on critical infrastructure is part of a wider Russian campaign. Zelenskyy also noted that since October 2025, the Russian Federation has damaged 8.5 GW of Ukraine's power generation capacity, forcing the nation to import a record 1.9 GW of electricity from Europe to keep the lights on.
A Call for Decisive Action
Zelenskyy called on all officials, local authorities, and heads of state and energy companies to be proactive, working directly in the cities and villages where infrastructure needs repair and defenses must be strengthened.
'We have separately analyzed this situation with the Minister of Defense. Conclusions will be drawn,' the president emphasized.
His remarks underscore the severe pressure Ukraine faces from Russia's sustained bombardment. The urgent need to modernize air defense tactics is clear, as the increasing scale and complexity of missile attacks demand more effective solutions to protect civilians and vital systems. The destruction of power plants and the resulting reliance on European energy imports present further economic and logistical challenges, requiring a coordinated national effort.