After massive Russian strikes, Zelensky instructed to strengthen mobile fire groups: what will change in the defense of the sky

The night when hundreds of Russian drones and missiles fly over Ukraine ends not with silence, but with a meeting where the president, in a tough conversation, demands a result. Mobile fire groups, which yesterday seemed like an additional element of air defense, are now becoming one of the country's key shields against Shaheds and cruise missiles.

Massive Russian attack and conference call: context of the decision

On the eve of the president's statement, Russia carried out another massive combined attack on Ukraine, using over 400 strike drones and nearly 40 missiles of various types in one night.² . Energy facilities in several regions were hit, leading to significant power outages and worsening energy conditions across the country.^{2 8} Some of the missiles and drones were shot down by air defense forces, including mobile fire groups on the ground, but the scale of the destruction forced the authorities to reconsider the effectiveness of the existing cover system.

Immediately after the attack was repelled, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conference call with the government, regional leaders, and the military command, where he heard reports from the regions on the consequences of the strikes.^{2 8} According to official reports, a separate unit was dedicated to the work of mobile fire groups responsible for destroying Shaheds and other UAVs at low and medium altitudes.^{2 8} It was after this meeting that a phrase was uttered that became the political and military framework for subsequent decisions: "there was a rather tough conversation regarding the work of mobile fire groups."^{2 8} .

Tough talk and political signal: what exactly did the president order?

Zelensky publicly announced that following the meeting, he gave a specific instruction: in certain regions of Ukraine, mobile air defense fire groups should be significantly strengthened in the coming days.^{2 8 9} The President emphasized that he addressed this task to three levels at once: the heads of the regions, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense, which must act together as a single system.^{2 9} . It is not only about increasing the number of such groups, but also about strengthening their equipment, coordination, and inclusion in the general contour of air defense of certain regions.^{2 9} .

The phrase about "a rather tough conversation" regarding the work of mobile fire groups became a signal both internally and externally: the president showed that he was ready to demand from the military and local authorities not reports "on work", but a tangible increase in efficiency.^{2 9} This is also a response to criticism from places where residents and local leaders have been drawing attention in recent weeks to the uneven protection of different regions: where there are fewer air defense systems, the role of mobile groups increases many times over.

What are mobile fire groups and why have they become a key element of air defense?

Mobile fire groups (MFTs) are small, highly mobile units that hunt enemy drones and missiles at low and medium altitudes in pickup trucks, trucks, or armored vehicles.^{3 6} According to Defense Express and other specialized publications, such groups consist of several crews armed with large-caliber machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, Soviet and Western-style MANPADS, as well as night vision devices and thermal imagers.^{3 6} They constantly change positions, moving along the routes of possible flights of Shaheds and other strike UAVs, and operate on targets that have broken through the coverage areas of stationary air defense systems.

Back in 2022, the National Guard of Ukraine reported that more than 250 fire groups and about 130 mobile groups had been created to counter drones, which showed the first tangible results in the southern directions.³ In January 2024, according to the North Operational Command, in just one day, mobile groups in this area destroyed 47% of all attack drones and 19% of cruise missiles flying through their area of ​​responsibility.⁶ These figures explain why today, against the backdrop of a limited number of modern air defense systems, it is the MVG that has become one of the key pillars of air defense.

The solution is not "from scratch": how Ukraine has already strengthened the MVG before

The idea of ​​increasing the potential of mobile fire groups is not the first time it has been raised. In February 2024, after a meeting of the General Staff, Zelensky already stated that Ukraine would increase the number of mobile air defense groups that repel attacks by the Shahed.^{4 10} . At the time, the president emphasized that these units were “one of the foundations of defense against Russian terror” and that the state should provide them with greater firepower and better means of communication and intelligence.^{4 10} At the same time, he called for support for developers and manufacturers of electronic warfare equipment that enhance the work of the MVG.^{4 10} .

In February of the same year, commenting on the successful repelling of one of the major drone attacks, Zelenskyy separately thanked the mobile fire groups, noting that it was they who provided the majority of the downed targets in a number of regions — from Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions to Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad and Cherkasy regions.⁵ This created a political and military framework: mobile units are seen as a tool capable of rapidly scaling up defense where it is impossible to deploy a sufficient number of expensive missile systems.

What exactly needs to be done to strengthen mobile fire groups?

Although the president's latest statement does not go into technical details, previous public signals from the authorities and the military allow us to outline the main directions for strengthening the MVG. First, this is an increase in the number of trained crews and equipment: new crews must undergo accelerated but high-quality training in working with air targets at night and in difficult weather conditions.^{3 6} Secondly, the modernization of equipment — primarily thermal imagers, sights, night vision devices and communication systems, which allow groups to quickly receive target designation from radars and observation posts.^{3 6} .

Third, the deployment of a wider electronic warfare network that can jam drone control channels and facilitate the work of fire crews.^{4 10} The President previously stated directly that “everyone in Ukraine who can produce effective electronic warfare systems deserves full state support” — from the government to the regions.^{4 10} Fourth, the integration of the MVG into a single digital air combat control system, where data from radars, air defense, and mobile groups are combined in real time.

Why the "tough talk" was heard: uneven protection and system fatigue

The phrase about "a pretty tough conversation" regarding mobile fire groups indicates not only the president's demandingness, but also the presence of problems that have arisen on the ground.^{2 8} First, different regions have different levels of training and equipment for such units: where local authorities and volunteers have been actively involved, mobile groups have become a powerful tool, while elsewhere they remain small in number or operate without proper coordination.^{5 8} Secondly, constant massive attacks exhaust personnel, equipment, and ammunition, which inevitably affects effectiveness.

Thirdly, the complexity of the strikes themselves is increasing: Russia combines different types of drones and missiles, maneuvers along routes, and tries to identify “holes” in defense, especially in the central and southern regions.^{1 2} In such conditions, mobile groups are expected to make not only quantitative but also qualitative changes: better interaction with the Air Force, faster response to changes in the direction of strikes, and the ability to operate in conditions where dozens of targets are attacked simultaneously.

MVG and defense strategy: how the tactics of "drone hunters" fit into the big picture

The introduction and development of mobile fire groups is Ukraine's response to an asymmetric threat, when the enemy massively uses relatively cheap strike UAVs, forcing it to spend expensive anti-aircraft missiles on each target.^{3 6} . MVGs allow us to “remove” part of this load: to fire at “Shaheeds” and low-flying missiles from small arms and anti-aircraft weapons, saving expensive missiles for more dangerous targets — ballistic missiles and high-precision ammunition.^{3 6} It's not just about efficiency, it's also about the economics of war.

In addition, such tactics make it difficult for the enemy to plan strikes. When Ukrainian crews are constantly changing positions, and their routes and duty stations are not tied to stationary objects, it is more difficult for the Russian military to predict where and in what area their drones will encounter dense fire.^{3 6} That is why Western analysts have repeatedly called the Ukrainian system of mobile fire groups an “example of adaptation to drone warfare” that other countries should study.

What does Zelensky's decision mean for the regions and for the people?

For the regions that have been hit hardest, the presidential order means not only a change in military plans, but also a reallocation of resources on the ground. Regional leaders have received a political mandate and the obligation to seek additional transport, supplies and logistical support for the MVG - from fuel to repair facilities.^{2 8} For local communities, this is also a signal that mobile groups are not abstract “military units” but specific crews that need support and interaction with civilian infrastructure.

For ordinary people, the strengthening of the air defense system means that the chances of shooting down drones and missiles before they reach their target will increase. But at the same time, it is a reminder: even the best air defense cannot guarantee absolute safety, and the rules during an air alert remain the same - immediately take cover, avoid crowds during shelling, be careful with the debris of downed targets^{1 2} The work of mobile fire teams is a defense that becomes more effective when society understands its logic and does not neglect its own safety.

Sources

1. Fakty ICTV: report on the Russian Federation's massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, the consequences for the energy system and the operation of air defense in the central regions.
2. Fakty ICTV: material about the conference call after the strike, Zelensky's quote about the "tough conversation" and the order to strengthen mobile air defense fire groups.
3. Defense Express: analytics on the tactics of mobile fire groups as an element of Ukraine's air defense, the structure and armament of the units.
4. Website of the President of Ukraine / SZRU: Zelensky's address on increasing the number of mobile fire groups and their role in protecting critical infrastructure.
5. Ukrainian World Congress: review of Zelensky's speech on the effectiveness of mobile fire groups and the geography of their work in the regions of Ukraine.
6. Militaryi: material about how mobile fire teams in northern Ukraine destroyed almost half of the drones and some of the cruise missiles during one of the attacks.
7. Babel.ua: news about the decision of the Headquarters to increase the number of mobile fire groups and provide them with new electronic warfare equipment and weapons.
8. UNIAN: report on Zelensky's statement on strengthening mobile fire groups in certain regions and the impact of massive strikes on the energy sector.
9. Ukrainska Pravda: news "Zelensky instructed to strengthen mobile fire groups", quotes from the president about tasks for the heads of the Armed Forces, the Air Force, and the Ministry of Defense.
10. Babel.ua / official website: transcript of Zelensky's address on increasing the number of MVGs and prioritizing support for EW manufacturers.