Mikhail Fedorov’s tenure as Defense Minister is facing increasing scrutiny as he presents a new initiative dubbed the ‘Robot Army’ while previously promising a 95% interception rate of Russian missiles and drones. Political analyst Yevhen Mahda criticized this shift, suggesting it exemplifies populism that fosters unrealistic expectations.
The concept of a ‘closed sky’ was largely regarded as a marketing strategy, and critics are pointing out significant oversights in military procurement, specifically the missed acquisition of the Patriot missile system. Moreover, there are concerns that early payments to military personnel were mismanaged and the ‘Contract 18-24’ initiative has not been effectively launched.
Additionally, reports indicate that under Fedorov’s leadership, the Ministry of Defense has effectively distanced itself from weapon manufacturers, failing to meet critical tendering processes. The defense committee of the parliament has also raised alarms over a defense budget shortfall of $27 to $28 billion, highlighting risks associated with military personnel payments.
