Zelenskyy responds to Air Force reassignment controversy
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to the Air Force transfer scandal. He instructed to explain the situation to the public, according to his evening address.
Background
Sergeant Vitalii "Bart" Horzhevskyi, serving with the 114th Air Force Brigade, published a statement on Facebook on behalf of aviation technicians and Air Force support staff. The statement highlighted numerous cases of skilled personnel being reassigned to infantry roles.
"We, the aviation technical staff of the Ukrainian Air Force, have been fulfilling our duties on MiG-29 fighters for over a decade. Since 2014, we have prepared and serviced aircraft under the most challenging conditions, ensuring combat missions day and night to protect our homeland," the statement read.
According to Horzhevskyi, 250 specialists have already been reassigned to infantry roles, with plans for an additional 218 transfers. However, the source of the directive remains unclear.
Zelenskyy's reaction
In his evening address, Zelenskyy revealed he had discussed the issue with Acting Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko.
"There has been much concern and discussion today regarding these reassignments. I have instructed that everything be explained to the public and not to reduce the ranks of specialists critical to the Air Force - aviation, air defense, and mobile fire units," Zelensky stated.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also addressed the controversy, assuring that critical engineering and aviation specialists servicing aircraft are not being reassigned. However, certain categories of Air Force personnel are undergoing training in preparation for deployment to reinforce infantry and other units due to personnel shortages in key areas.
