On Friday evening, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a meeting of the Commander-in-Chief's Staff to discuss the production of drones, shells, the situation at the front, and energy.
"I held a meeting of the Chief of Staff. There are five issues on the agenda today. The first is Ukrainian drone production. The plan for 2024. Contracts have been increased. We have planned an additional budget for drones and will ensure its implementation. Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov and Defense Minister Umerov presented their reports. Overall, over 90% of the drones at the front this year are domestically produced. I am grateful to every Ukrainian company that works for our strength. I thank everyone who trains drone operators. I thank every volunteer who helps," Zelensky wrote in his telegram channel following the meeting.
"The second issue is shells. Production and import. We are also increasing contracts. And we are speeding up manufacturers. The report is by the Minister of Defense. I thank everyone who works 24/7 at the production facilities," the president added.
Speaking about the frontline, Zelensky noted that "Avdiivka is especially difficult. Chief Zaluzhnyi and the commanders in charge of the areas – Moskalev and Syrskyi – reported."
"The fourth is fortifications. Building up fortifications. Prime Minister Shmyhal's report on funding. The report of the Minister of Defense on the timing of tasks. We are implementing it quickly. I thank everyone involved," Zelenskyy said.
They also discussed "the restoration of energy after Russian strikes, the physical protection of energy, our systemic steps."
"Detailed reports. Government – Shmyhal, Kubrakov. Energy companies – Chernyshov, Kudrytsky. We are going through this heating season steadily," Zelensky wrote.
Background. Earlier, Western media reported, citing their sources, that Zelenskyy could dismiss Valeriy Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by the end of this week.