Rozenko on the Defense of Kyiv and the Freezing of Municipal Budget Funds

Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine 2016-2019 Mr. Pavlo Rozenko. Photo: facebook.com/pavlo.rozenko

An expert in social and economic policy, former vice prime minister Pavlo Rozhenko criticized the Kyiv City Military Administration for insufficient protection of the capital from Russian drones and missiles. He questioned the results of the “Clean Sky” program, which was allocated 200 million UAH, and stated that after a year and a half Kyiv still has not received the promised protection. Rozhenko also criticized the government for delaying payments to local budgets.

Rozhenko spoke about this on the air of Vechir.LIVE.

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Protection of Kyiv from Shahed drones and missiles

Pavlo Rozhenko emphasized that responsibility for countering Russian drones and missiles cannot be placed solely on the Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“ It’s been 4,5 years, and why, after 4,5 years, do Shahed drones fly freely over Kyiv? And we have neither an air defense system to destroy them, nor a missile defense system? ” — the expert asked.

Rozhenko also recalled the funding of the “Clean Sky” program, for which in 2025 year funds from Kyiv’s budget were allocated to protect the capital.

“ It has now been a year and a half, where is the protection of Kyiv from Shahed drones, missiles? There is neither money nor protection, nothing. And Klitschko is to blame in everything, Klitschko is to blame, ” Rozhenko said.

Blocking of local budget funds

The expert paid particular attention to the delay of treasury payments to communities. According to him, the government suspended transfers to local budgets for about a month. As a result, private enterprises executing works did not receive payments and were forced to halt operations.

“ Are we in the same boat or not? Or will we fund a telethon, a winter thousand for four billion hryvnias, and cut off all funding to local self-government? This is not only for Kyiv, but all over Ukraine, ” Rozhenko said.

Rozhenko urged thanking the janitors and energy workers.

The expert also drew attention to the work of city services after Russian attacks. Rozhenko stressed that the work of emergency services and municipal enterprises requires support, especially in the context of regular Russian attacks on energy facilities.

“ Kyiv is recovering, drones are destroying, is this a problem of Klitschko? … Maybe we should thank the energy workers and utilities who, despite everything, within less than a day after such large-scale shelling, restored light, water, and infrastructure for Kyiv residents, ” he said.

Why Kyiv’s energy infrastructure is difficult to rebuild

Speaking about preparing the capital for the heating season, Rozhenko noted that Kyiv’s energy infrastructure differs from the systems that exist in Kharkiv and Zhytomyr. According to him, it was formed during Soviet times, so it is impossible to change it quickly.

Earlier, News.LIVE reported that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko called unfounded accusations of possible heating season disruption. He emphasized that heat supply in the capital has not yet begun, and thus statements about problems launching heating are premature.

News.LIVE also reported that Dmytro Kalko, a member of the public council under the Kyiv City State Administration, urged the president to appeal to the Verkhovna Rada to dissolve Kyiv City Council. He explained his position by non-fulfillment of court decisions and problems with protective structures, and suggested that consideration of shelter cases may take years due to a lack of judges.