President's Directive to Officials
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed all state officials to stay and work within the country, citing a critical situation in the energy sector. This directive was issued during discussions with a Ukrainian delegation in the United States, where he stressed the vital importance of having government personnel present on the ground. Zelenskyy emphasized that all heads of local administrations, state bodies, and energy companies must be in Ukraine, working directly in cities and villages, particularly in regions where infrastructure needs to be restored and the population protected.
Recent Attacks on Ukraine
This call comes against the backdrop of a major Russian assault on the night of January 20. Occupying forces launched a series of attacks using one 'Tsirkon' anti-ship missile, 18 'Iskander-M' and 'S-300' ballistic missiles, and 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles. The assault also involved 339 attack drones, including models such as Shahed, 'Gerbera', 'Italmas', and others.
As a result of these attacks, impacts from five missiles and 24 attack drones were recorded at 11 different locations. Furthermore, debris from downed drones fell in 12 separate areas. The President underscored the urgent need for air defense, stating,
"We need air defense missiles every single day"— Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This relentless bombardment highlights the severe pressure on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which has been a primary Russian target since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
These events underscore the critical situation facing the nation and the necessity for officials to be actively engaged in restoring energy infrastructure. The President's order signals an increased level of responsibility required from public servants in the context of war and national recovery. The ongoing Russian military attacks and the persistent threat to the energy grid present Ukraine with continuous challenges, demanding coordinated efforts at all levels of government. Ensuring robust air defense and the active involvement of officials in reconstruction efforts have become paramount for maintaining stability and security across the country.