Minister Fedorov on 3 months in office: diagnosed most of the system's ailments; March was record month for Russian forces' losses
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported on his first three months in office, noting that during this time most of the ailments and causes of fundamental problems that need to be resolved have been diagnosed — with figures, facts and names.
"Challenges and ailments that have gone untreated for decades. A total absence of goals and accountability within the system. Many people who should be put behind bars on one hand, and talents who simply need to be given the opportunity to work on the other. A culture of fear and lies, and at the same time heroism, technology, innovation and asymmetry," the minister wrote on Telegram.
Fedorov noted that during this time the Defence Ministry focused on updating the structure of the ministry and its top management, strengthening air defence forces including so-called "small air defence" including private air defence, preparing a comprehensive transformation to improve recruitment and service conditions in the defence forces, conducting the first phase of an audit of the state defence-industrial complex, and implementing technological solutions - from boosting drone production and supply and ground robotic systems to introducing artificial intelligence-based solutions.
The minister noted that March was a record month for Russian forces’ losses, with around 36,000 troops destroyed. The defence forces’ work at operational depth has been completely rethought, reflected in the quality and quantity of Midstrike procurement.
In addition, new approaches to after-action review have been introduced, along with systems for analysing the causes of each servicemember’s losses and building a system for analysing the combat effectiveness of brigades and corps in real time. Mission Control has been introduced for all drone crews and types. The eBaly system has been updated - points are now being awarded for combat work by army aviation, mobile fire groups against Shaheds, and snipers. A decision has also been taken on additional funding for the most effective units from other components of the defence forces.
The minister also announced the start of road restoration important for military logistics, and a fourfold acceleration and increase in funding for the construction of tunnels with nets to support logistics in frontline regions.
A vision of reforms has also been agreed in areas with record corruption risks: weapons repair and State Quality Assurance.
Among intergovernmental agreements, Fedorov cited a record contract for PAC missiles for Patriot with Germany’s support, which will begin implementation next year but is "a basis for finding missiles today through future contracts."
The minister noted that "some results cannot be spoken about publicly" and thanked Ukrainian troops for their heroic defence of Ukraine.
