- Ukrainian President Zelensky held urgent meetings following a Kharkiv frontline visit.
- He announced five key directives, including increased drone and vehicle funding.
- Zelensky demanded faster recognition of military heroes and less red tape.
- Reports on implementation are due by Monday from senior defense officials.
The Big Picture
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a series of direct orders to military and government leadership to accelerate battlefield reforms and logistics, following feedback from commanders in the embattled Kharkiv region. The directive touches on combat training improvements, funding for drones and vehicles, military contract expansions, and faster recognition for service members.
What’s New
In a post on X, formally Twitter, President Zelensky shared a detailed five-point update on the steps being taken. His remarks followed a visit to brigades in Kharkiv, where commanders raised critical needs across various operational areas.
Key Directives
According to Zelensky, the first priority is refining military training by incorporating real combat experience, and boosting psychological and motivational readiness. While progress has been made at training centers, he emphasized the need for further improvements.
Secondly, Zelensky ordered a substantial increase in direct funding for brigades to purchase drones. He noted that resources are already available and that the goal is to streamline access at the unit level.
The third directive involves easing the process for units to buy pickup trucks. “Our warriors must have a real ability to purchase the specific vehicles they need, in the fastest way possible,” Zelensky stated.
The fourth point concerned the “Contracts 18–24” program, which allows flexible military contracts for service members. Zelensky said the program should be expanded in both age range and conditions for eligibility, with the Defense Ministry and General Staff tasked to finalize a plan for public release.
Finally, Zelensky addressed delays in issuing state awards to soldiers. He criticized the bureaucracy that has left many warriors waiting for months and instructed officials to reduce paperwork and digitalize the process.
What’s Next
Zelensky has set Monday as the deadline for top defense and security officials to present implementation plans. These include the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, the Ministry of Defense, the Commander-in-Chief, the General Staff, and the President’s own Office team.
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