President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the Air Force's performance in repelling Russian drone strikes across several Ukrainian regions, according to his social media statement.
The criticism followed the daily coordination meeting where Zelenskyy received situation reports from Kyiv and the surrounding region, Kharkiv, Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi and Oblast, Vinnytsia Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia, and communities along the Russian border and near the front lines.
"I consider the work of the Air Force in some regions of Ukraine unsatisfactory, and discussed with the Air Force Commander and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine what decisions must be immediately implemented for more effective downing of Shaheds," Zelenskyy said.
The statement comes after Russia launched 328 strike drones during the night of 6 February and throughout the morning of 6 Ferbuary. According to Air Force calculations, approximately 200 of these were Shahed drones. As of 12:30 pm Friday, air defense had neutralized 297 Russian drones. The Air Force reported that 22 strike drones hit 14 locations, with debris falling at 2 additional locations.
Russia also launched 2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles and 5 Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles during the attack. The Air Force report noted that the Russian missiles did not reach their targets.
