Jan 19 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s armed forces are introducing new air defense systems to revamp their system of small units deploying interceptor drones to deal with new large-scale attacks by Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.
Ukraine is still reeling from a wave of Russian attacks earlier this month that knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment buildings, especially in the capital Kiev.
Zelensky has repeatedly called for stronger air defenses, including increased aid from Ukraine’s Western allies.
“The Air Force will adopt a new way of using air defense systems involving mobile fire teams, interceptor drones and other ‘short-range’ air defense assets,” Zelensky said in a nighttime video address.
“The system will shift.”
The president announced the appointment of new Air Force Deputy Commander Pavlo Yelizarov to oversee and develop this innovation.
Since Russia launched an invasion of its smaller neighbor in February 2022, Ukraine has rapidly developed its drone manufacturing system and emphasized intercepting drones as an effective and economical way to defend against Russian attacks.
In his speech, Zelensky warned Ukrainians to be “extremely vigilant” ahead of expected new Russian attacks.
“Russia is ready for strikes, large-scale strikes, and is waiting for the moment to implement them,” he said, urging every region in the country to “get ready to react as quickly as possible and help people.”
Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha warned over the weekend that Ukrainian intelligence services were aware that Russia was conducting reconnaissance on specific targets, specifically the substations that supply power to nuclear power plants.
The president also said he had instructed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko to make decisions this week on the difficulties caused by the recent attacks, including providing bonuses for tens of thousands of emergency workers who restored heat and power.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
