Evhen Magda, a political expert, has called out the central government for attempting to shift the responsibility for the consequences of ongoing missile strikes on Kyiv onto the city’s mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko. He noted that Kyiv has been under continuous attack both day and night, leading to a halt in educational activities in schools and universities, as well as paralyzed business operations. According to him, Russia aims to render the capital uninhabitable and put the millions of residents at risk of survival during winter.
Magda criticized the government’s implementation of protective measures against Russian drone attacks that were previously announced. He referenced past promises to safeguard Kyiv, including last year’s “Clean Sky” program, which was meant to establish a comprehensive system for intercepting hostile drones. The city administration had allocated 235 million hryvnias for this initiative, showcasing a commitment to enhancing defenses. However, Magda argued that the program has failed to deliver adequate results, citing that the previous Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s initiative, “Ukraine’s Sky is Protected,” promised 100% detection of aerial threats and at least 95% interception of missiles and drones—claims that have not been met.
The number of strikes on Kyiv has reportedly increased significantly, with Magda estimating that out of approximately 150-160 attacks across Ukraine, around 60 are targeting the capital. He stated that attacks on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure have surged by 300%, with most ballistic missiles aimed directly at the city.
Moreover, Magda pointed out issues regarding the funding needed for Kyiv’s winter preparations, claiming that the government has been blocking budget allocations designated for this purpose over the past few weeks.
“In light of this, the government has recently blocked funds for winter preparations in the capital. Now, while failing to provide adequate protection for Kyiv and restricting its financial resources, the central authorities plan to revert to the tactic of blaming the mayor for their own failures. Russia is already working to deprive the capital of light and heat. Dividing powers and pulling the blanket over themselves in these conditions only weakens the city when the enemy is trying to break it. Fighting the enemy, not the residents of Kyiv, should be the central government’s priority,” Magda stated, emphasizing the need for a unified front against the external threat.
Context
- On October 12, Member of Parliament Marianna Bezuhla suggested inviting Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko to a session of the Verkhovna Rada. According to official parliamentary records, the proposal received support from 126 deputies, falling short of the 226 votes required for a decision.
