Feb 10 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gathered his top military officials on Tuesday to discuss air defense shortfalls and other aspects of protecting civilians from an onslaught nearly four years into Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, also assessed how local authorities in Ukrainian cities were dealing with the aftermath of massive Russian attacks, in particular ensuring high-rise apartments have power and heating. It is again selected for official criticism in the capital Kyiv.
Zelenskiy said he had long discussions with the Commander-in-Chief of the military, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the chief of the general staff, Andrii Hnatov, and the Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov.
“Many changes are taking place at the moment in the work of air defense. In some regions, the way teams operate, interceptors, mobile fire units, the entire small component of air defense is being rebuilt practically completely,” said Zelenskiy.
“But this is only one element of defense that needs changes. Changes will happen.”
UKRAINE SEEKS MORE WEAPONS
The president has often pointed to improved air defenses as critical to protecting cities from airstrikes and has asked Kyiv’s western allies to provide more weapons to stop incoming missiles and drones.
Last week, with heating still not restored to hundreds of homes following air raids targeting energy infrastructure, he said defense lines in some areas were proving ineffective.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, writing on Telegram after the daily meeting of officials on energy issues, said crews were working around the clock to restore heating in Kyiv, where nighttime temperatures were set to hit -19 Celsius (-2 Fahrenheit).
After meeting with the top brass, Zelenskiy said that the regions of Kharkiv and Poltava in the center and northeast of Ukraine were also having difficulties with electricity, as well as parts of the Odesa region on the Black Sea.
He renewed his criticism of decision-makers in Kiev, where he was at odds with Mayor Vitali Klitschko, as well as in his hometown of Kryvyi Rih and Okhtyrka near the Russian border.
“Every community leader and responsible service should pay real attention to what is happening with the buildings, with the networks,” he said. “We are monitoring at all levels and people will be held personally responsible.”
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Rod Nickel)