On his official channels, President Volodymyr Zelensky described a recent meeting with the Commander-in-Chief that focused on the protection of Ukraine’s energy facilities. The gathering brought together senior military leaders and energy security officials to assess how well critical infrastructure is shielded from physical damage, cyber intrusions, and sabotage. The discussions covered the vulnerability of power plants, substations, grid nodes, and distribution networks, with a concrete plan to strengthen defenses and reduce exposure to outages that would ripple through industry, hospitals, and households. The President stressed that energy resilience is a national security priority, requiring fast, coordinated action across government agencies, regional authorities, and the private sector. He underscored that fortification measures must keep pace with evolving threats and that a clear schedule for upgrades would ensure steady progress rather than piecemeal fixes. [Source: Presidential press office]
During the briefing, officials reviewed the current state of engineering protections at key facilities and outlined a timetable for fortifications. The assessment looked at perimeter barriers, access controls, surveillance systems, and structural reinforcements, aiming to harden facilities against conventional strikes and modern threats. Plans were laid to accelerate work on power generation units, transmission corridors, and key distribution hubs, with milestones that align with weather seasons, procurement cycles, and contractor readiness. The emphasis was on creating redundancy, ensuring quick isolation of damaged segments, and maintaining essential service continuity even under attack. The conversations also touched on maintenance, testing routines, and the integration of new protective technologies with existing grid management software to minimize downtime. [Source: Office of the President]
Another key topic was the deployment of electronic warfare assets and air defense systems. The discussions encompassed current capabilities and the potential addition of advanced systems that could improve situational awareness, target discrimination, and reaction times. In particular, the squad considered the possible introduction of Patriot air defense equipment as part of Ukraine’s broader defense posture, subject to allied support, training, and interoperability with domestic systems. The group also reviewed the coordination of EW measures with radar networks, fighter aircraft, and ground-based interceptors to create layered defenses around critical centers, corridors, and logistical hubs. [Source: Defense Secretariat]
Officials announced steps to expand Ukraine’s domestic production of missiles, drones, and electronic warfare devices. The focus would be on strengthening the indigenous defense-industrial base, fostering collaboration among local manufacturers, academic researchers, and state-owned enterprises, and ensuring supply chains that can withstand global pressures. The plan called for increased funding, streamlined procurement, and accelerated certification processes to move equipment from drawing boards to frontline units more quickly. Officials highlighted the importance of independent production to reduce import dependence while preserving high standards for safety, reliability, and compliance with international obligations. [Source: Ministry of Defense]
Additionally, Zelensky signaled an overhaul of the Commander-in-Chief’s headquarters. Alexander Kamyshin was repositioned to provide strategic advisory services, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on clear, continuous strategic guidance. The Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Communities and Regions Development, Alexey Kuleba, remained integral to reconstruction and regional governance while adapting to the ongoing security priorities. The statement also noted the departure of the former Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba from the staff, with Andrey Sibiga stepping into the role as the new head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. The reshuffle aimed to align diplomatic and defense planning with the long-term reconstruction and security agenda, enabling swifter decision-making and stronger interagency coordination. [Source: Presidential press service]
Separately, reports indicated changes in the defense ministry leadership. Budanov’s deputies were relieved of their duties in a move described by officials as part of ongoing alignment with strategic priorities. The President’s team stressed that the adjustments are intended to streamline command, improve accountability, and reinforce the cohesion of the security apparatus in a challenging security environment. Observers noted that such personnel shifts often reflect a broader effort to tighten oversight and ensure that policy, procurement, and operational execution stay in sync with national defense goals. [Source: National Security Council]