The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has approved the appointment of Pavlo Yelizarov as the Deputy Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The relevant information was announced by the head of state in his evening address on January 19.
This is reported by Kyiv24
A New Approach to Air Defense
During his address, Zelensky emphasized the need for changes in the approaches to the use of air defense by the Air Forces. In particular, this involves the use of mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, and other means of small air defense. According to him, this system will be transformed to enhance the effectiveness of protecting Ukrainian airspace.
“There will be a new approach to the use of air defense by the Air Forces – concerning mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, and other means of ‘small’ air defense. This system will be transformed. I have approved the appointment of a new Deputy Commander of the Air Forces – Pavlo Yelizarov. He is known in the army as ‘Lazar’, a special unit that operates effectively. Together with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the military command, a new organization for this type of air defense will be developed – and it will be developed,” said Zelensky.
Personnel Decisions and Profile of the New Deputy
Zelensky also reported that during a meeting with Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, personnel decisions aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities were agreed upon. In particular, the candidacy of the new Deputy Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who will be responsible for building the small air defense system, was approved.
Pavlo Yelizarov, known by the call sign ‘Lazar’, is the commander of a special unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, specializing in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to perform tasks related to airspace protection. His experience and effective work in the field of drone application were the basis for his appointment to the new position, which entails responsibility for implementing innovative solutions in the air defense system.