Zelensky responds to the controversy over the transfer of aviation technicians to infantry roles.

Volodymyr Zelensky, in an evening address on January 14, commented on the information regarding the transfer of critically needed specialists from the engineering and aviation service of the Air Forces to the infantry.

According to the president, he had a separate conversation with the commander of the Air Forces. “I instructed to clarify everything to the public and not to reduce the number of specialists needed by the Air Forces for combat missions – for our aviation, air defense, and mobile fire groups,” Zelensky said.

Previously, the acting commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko stated that such transfers would not take place. This also applies to other specialties that are in short supply within the Air Forces, specifically specialists trained abroad on Western technology for anti-aircraft missile troops, trained soldiers for mobile fire groups, and other narrowly specialized professionals, for whom finding replacements is “objectively difficult.”

The day before, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine prohibited the transfer of specialists in high-tech fields and those who have undergone training abroad on foreign models of weapons and military equipment from their current positions. At the same time, due to the challenging situation at the front, personnel from the Air Forces and other branches of the Armed Forces, after prior training at training centers, are reinforcing the Ground Forces and Air Assault Troops.

Let us remind you: aviation technicians from the 114th brigade of the Air Forces of Ukraine announced that the aviation-technical and service personnel of the Air Forces are planned to be transferred to the infantry. According to military information, 250 specialists have already been transferred to the infantry, and now an additional 218 individuals are scheduled for transfer.