President Zelensky plans changes in air defense command amidst shelling in Odesa region
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the strengthening of air defense in the Odesa region following recent massive shelling by the Russian army. He also plans to change the head of the Air Command “South”.
Responding to journalists’ questions in the Office of the President’s chat, Zelensky noted that Russian attacks on the region aim to cause chaos and demoralization among residents by depriving them of fuel and food. The president assured that the government will make efforts to ensure stable logistics in all regions of the country.
“It is absolutely clear why this is happening today. Certainly, we will fight for the logistics of each of our regions, to be honest,” emphasized Zelensky.
Zelensky also announced the planned replacement of the commander of the Air Command “South,” Major General Dmytro Karpenko, explaining this by the need for a quick and adequate response to the current situation. Karpenko occupied this position since 2022.
According to him, the authorities will work to maximally protect the population of the Odesa region and other regions. The president will also discuss with Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi the issue of those responsible for air defense.
Recently, the Odesa region has experienced massive attacks on energy and infrastructure targets. In particular, on December 18, a Russian drone hit a car on a bridge near the village of Mayaky, resulting in the death of a woman and three of her children being hospitalized. The attack led to the closure of the road in the Dniester Estuary area.
| Event | Date | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Drone shelling in Odesa region | December 18 | 1 dead, 3 wounded |
| Zelensky’s statement on changes in air defense | December 19 | Replacement of air defense command, strengthening defense |
