Andriy Sadovyi, the Mayor of Lviv, has retracted his earlier statements regarding the city’s air defense capabilities following a recent Russian drone attack that resulted in significant damage. His remarks came after Robert Brovdi, the Commander of the Ukrainian Drone Forces, urged against blaming military personnel for the incident.
In the aftermath of the attack on March 24, Sadovyi expressed his frustration to reporters, stating that he had numerous questions regarding the effectiveness of the city’s defenses. He emphasized that Lviv continuously invests in drones and anti-drone systems, responding to military requests.
“We allocate a significant portion of the city budget to support the military. Therefore, I believe there are many questions for everyone involved. My current task is to ensure the safety of people, providing them with shelter and quality medical care,” Sadovyi said.
Brovdi responded to Sadovyi’s comments by highlighting that during the March 24 attack, only 15 out of 556 Russian drones reached their targets, indicating a success rate of approximately 3% for the attackers. He noted that Ukrainian forces manage to intercept 95-97% of drones daily, despite the frequency of such assaults.
“Of course, there is always room for improvement. However, it is not my place to offer advice, nor is it yours to criticize those who are working tirelessly to intercept these threats. Protect the people, and we will continue our work in the skies,” Brovdi stated.
Following this exchange, Sadovyi issued a formal statement expressing his respect for the air defense forces and all those who protect the nation. He acknowledged that his earlier remarks were emotionally charged and inappropriate, attributing this to the distressing scene he witnessed at the site of a burning building in central Lviv.
“I hold great respect for the air defense forces and all who safeguard our skies and land. The Lviv community is doing its utmost to fulfill requests from the military. I understand that decisions regarding the deployment of equipment and resources are made by responsible individuals who know best where they are needed most,” Sadovyi said.
Prior to this exchange, on March 24, Russian drones targeted Lviv, igniting a UNESCO heritage building and a private residence in the village of Sernyky. The attack resulted in injuries to 32 individuals, with seven remaining hospitalized as of the morning of March 25. Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for the Air Force Command, reported that Russia conducted one of its most extensive attacks on Ukraine that day, with over 400 strike drones entering Ukrainian airspace.
Following a Russian drone attack, Lviv's mayor retracted his critical comments on air defense, acknowledging the effectiveness of military efforts. The attack resulted in injuries and significant damage, prompting discussions on military resource allocation.