Ukraine War: Fedorov Details Drone Advances and Air Defence Gains as Defence Minister

Mykhailo Fedorov has summed up his tenure as Ukraine’s Defence Minister amid the ongoing Ukraine war, highlighting advances in drone procurement, air defence improvements, and international support while noting incomplete reforms.

Fedorov’s Summary of Defence Ministry Achievements

Fedorov detailed several accomplishments during his time in office. His team disabled Starlink for the Russians, which drastically reduced their ability to wage an effective drone war. [1] The ministry made a high-risk decision after taking over without a dedicated budget by using funds from year-end military pay and investing them effectively in mid-strike drones, fibre-optic FPV drones, low-cost reconnaissance, uncrewed ground vehicles, interceptor drones and deep-strike drones. [1] In four months, more drones were procured than in the entire previous year. [1] The team introduced 70% advance payments for procurement through E-points on the Brave1 Market portal and radically changed the procurement system. [1] They launched the first tenders for long-range artillery and hundreds of thousands of drones, generating billions of dollars in savings for the state budget, and procured thousands of pickup trucks, buggies and quad bikes for the military for the first time through tenders. [1] Fedorov’s team integrated Pavlo Lazar into Ukraine's Air Force and introduced a procedure for reviewing every large-scale attack through an After Action Review. [1] During this period, the drone interception rate rose from 83% to 91%, and the interception rate for cruise missiles rose from 47% to 87%. [1] The ministry contracted missiles for Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T systems for the first time and submitted an application, financed through a European loan, for the purchase of PAC-3 missiles. [1] A baseline system was introduced for supplying drones to brigades and corps, with all combat brigades and corps set to begin receiving planned drone supplies from July without the need for manual intervention. [1] A large-scale grant programme for explosives and missile manufacturers was launched. [1] Three meetings of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, were held, resulting in US$40 billion in support for this year announced, not including the European loan, and a mechanism was launched to use the European loan for Ukraine's military priorities. [1] A solution was found to scale up production of low-cost missiles capable of countering jet-powered Shahed-type drones. [1] A record-breaking contract was signed, and a ballistic missile developed within the Defence Ministry's area of responsibility was successfully tested on the day the government was dismissed, with fundamental changes to the technical specifications that brought the system to maximum precision and cut the cost by 30%. [1] A contract was signed to purchase Swedish Gripen fighters. [1] Operation Auchan was planned and carried out together with the military. [1] Exports were opened under the Drone Deal programme, Trophy Lab was launched, and the Defense AI Center A1 was launched. [1]

Reforms Completed and Those Left Incomplete

Fedorov outlined transformations implemented in the military, including fixed-term contracts and deferments for all, some of the world’s highest salaries for infantry and assault troops, foreign recruitment on transparent and attractive market terms and new tools to encourage service members who left their units without official authorisation to return. [1] He also listed what was not achieved, including completing the Ministry of Defence’s organisational transformation in line with NATO standards and common sense, moving all procurement without exception to competitive tenders, and building a culture of responsibility for decisions taken. [1] Fedorov stated that the new structure was launched, many staff were dismissed and a range of processes were set in motion, but people who were slowing down change should have been removed even more decisively. [1] He expressed belief that the institutional culture will be shaped by the heroic Ukrainian people. [1]

Mykhailo Fedorov highlights Ukrainian drone procurement and air defence advances during his Defence Ministry tenure. — Source: ukrainskapravda

Zelenskyy’s Assessment of Russian Domestic Sentiment and Mobilisation Risks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the parliamentary elections in Russia in September will not affect further escalation of the war, as their outcome is predictable. [2] According to Zelenskyy, the share of Russian citizens who do not support the war against Ukraine is growing, with the percentage of those who do not support the war and want it to end having risen very rapidly. [2] This trend is especially noticeable in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, whose residents have directly felt the consequences of the war. [2] Zelenskyy stated that after the elections, Putin may take further steps to increase pressure, including expanding mobilisation, because he will not be able to expand contract recruitment due to large payments required. [2] Ukraine must prepare for such steps and other possible actions by Russia. [2]

Trump’s Comments on Prospects for a Peace Agreement

US President Donald Trump has said he believes Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is ready to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine and that it will happen soon. [3] Trump keeps reiterating the same message to Putin, stating: "I tell him the same thing all the time. I don't want to go into great detail, but I say: 'Vladimir, it's time for you to stop. It's time for this war to end.'" [3] Trump is convinced that Putin "is ready to make a deal" and, when asked when that might happen, replied "Soon." [3] He added that it takes two to tango but thinks Putin is ready to make a deal. [3]

Mykhailo Fedorov summarizes Ukraine defence ministry drone procurement and air defence advances. — Source: ukrainskapravda

EU Pledge of Continued Support

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen went to Kyiv on Wednesday to mark Ukraine's annual Statehood Day, pledging continued military and financial support for the country's independence as it holds out against Russia's 4-year-old full-scale invasion. [4]

Daily Russian Combat Losses

Russia has lost 1,470 soldiers killed and wounded, 10 tanks and 445 vehicles and fuel tankers over the past day. [5] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 15 July 2026 are estimated at approximately 1,423,280 military personnel, 12,141 tanks, 24,938 armoured combat vehicles, 45,953 artillery systems, 1,936 multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,492 air defence systems, 437 fixed-wing aircraft, 353 helicopters, 1,907 ground robotic systems, 409,204 operational-tactical UAVs, 4,906 cruise missiles, 34 ships/boats, 2 submarines, 120,307 vehicles and fuel tankers and 4,420 special vehicles and other equipment. [5]

What to watch next: Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine must be prepared for any challenges from Russia, while Trump indicated a possible deal could come soon and von der Leyen reaffirmed EU backing.

Further Reading

• Ukraine War Map