Zelenskyy Issues Three Critical Defense Directives to Minister Fedorov

President Zelenskyy's Security and Defense Priorities

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assigned Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov three urgent tasks central to the nation's security and military readiness. These directives, discussed in a recent high-level meeting, address the most pressing challenges facing Ukraine's armed forces. The meeting was also attended by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi and Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhka.

• Establishing effective air defense to protect Ukrainian skies.
• Managing the ongoing mobilization of personnel.
• Addressing the procurement and deployment of drones and artillery.

Key Challenges and Strategic Focus

Creating a reliable air shield, to be implemented in coordination with the Air Force, was identified as the top priority. Zelenskyy stressed the fundamental importance of this task regardless of the evolving battlefield situation, calling it 'extremely difficult, which is precisely why it is number one.'

Separately, the President tasked Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, with resolving outstanding issues related to the contract army system. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to finalize all existing contract formats to ensure they function effectively in practice.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy highlighted the critical need to optimize budget expenditures to prevent overpayment for drones and artillery. He noted that the demand for these systems is growing, creating significant logistical and financial challenges for military procurement.

“We understand this is a complex issue – the long-range projectile. And, to be honest, short-range artillery is no longer effective.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Minister Fedorov revealed stark figures underscoring the mobilization crisis: approximately 2 million Ukrainians are currently listed as wanted by regional recruitment and social support centers (TCC), while 200,000 individuals have left military units without authorization. These numbers point to systemic issues requiring immediate attention from the country's military leadership.

These presidential directives underscore the urgent need to resolve fundamental security and defense problems amid the ongoing war. The focus on budget optimization and resource mobilization reflects the necessity for more efficient management under severe resource constraints. Successfully implementing these measures is crucial for strengthening Ukraine's overall defensive capabilities and improving the situation on the front lines.