Fedorov announces new decisions aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has announced that new decisions aimed at strengthening the country's defense will be introduced in the near future.
According to Ukrinform, Fedorov said this in a post on Telegram following meetings with the commanders of corps and task forces on the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk direction, and Kharkiv fronts.
"Last week, I spent several days working on the front line in the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv directions. I met with corps and operational group commanders, brigade commanders, and heads of military administrations. We held meetings with Operational Command South, with Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of the Joint Forces, and with Robert Brovdi (Madyar), commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. We worked directly with mechanized and air assault brigades, as well as air defense units. The main goal was to synchronize decisions to strengthen our defense and systematically prepare for the spring campaign.," Fedorov said.
He outlined the key priorities discussed during the meetings, including:
- increasing tactical and operational depth;
- scaling up drones and interceptor systems;
- protecting logistics and critical routes;
- filling out brigade personnel and equipment;
- deploying additional air defense groups;
- expanding electronic warfare capabilities and radar coverage;
- building and reinforcing fortifications.
Fedorov stressed that at the direction of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Defense Ministry is already working on concrete decisions. In particular, a baseline monthly drone package for brigades is being introduced.
"This will guarantee a monthly supply of FPV drones, reconnaissance UAVs, bomber drones, and other unmanned aerial systems – in addition to state deliveries, e-Points allocations, and other procurement channels. This allows brigades to plan their defense operations and have confidence in available resources. We are also working on centralized procurement and distribution of Starlink terminals and pickup trucks for the military," the minister said.
He also announced the introduction of an audit of every battlefield loss, which he believes will help identify key problems and enable management decisions to address them systematically.
In addition, Fedorov said the approach to defining military needs will change.
"In the near future, we will shift from a manual system of defining requirements to an automated model. Based on high-quality frontline data, we will generate real demand – without a 'zoo' of inefficient solutions. Our goal is for troops to receive the best available systems, rather than having to modify them in the trenches themselves," he said.
The minister added that the annual targets for drone supplies have already been revised and a procurement plan has been formed, including interceptor drones, FPV drones, fiber-optic-controlled drones, fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs, and strike drones capable of operating at operational depth.
"Contracts for the first quarter have already been signed. For the first time, requirements were generated based on data to eliminate subjective influence and corruption risks. The results of these procurements will soon be felt on the battlefield," Fedorov said.
He also noted that many more ground robotic systems will be deployed this year.
"The goal is to shift logistics tasks to robotic ground systems to reduce personnel losses," he said.
Work is also underway on systems that can serve as alternatives to Mavic drones, incorporating artificial intelligence.
"Solutions are already being tested and will soon be scaled up on the battlefield," the minister said.
Fedorov added that during his trip to the front he recorded dozens of proposals from soldiers and identified problem areas. "We are working on systemic solutions to address them," he said.
Earlier reports said that Fedorov was restructuring the Ministry of Defense to align it with the wartime plan and had already created a new organizational structure within the ministry.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine