Zelensky's Staff meeting focuses on protecting rail and energy infrastructure from Russian strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff centered on contracts for protection systems for critical infrastructure and logistics. The meeting addressed the needs of Ukrzaliznytsia, gas station networks, and other priority targets for Russian strikes, approved a significant strengthening of electronic warfare capabilities, and tasked the Ministry of Finance with securing additional resources for logistics.
Key points
- Zelensky held a Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff meeting on September 15 focused on protecting critical infrastructure and logistics.
- Ukrainian intelligence identified Ukrzaliznytsia, gas station networks, and other critical enterprises as priority Russian strike targets.
- A decision was made to substantially strengthen electronic warfare (РЕБ) capabilities, with procurement contracts confirmed.
- Mobile fire groups and air defense lines will be reorganized based on Russian-approved strike plans.
- The Ministry of Finance was tasked with securing additional resources for logistics needs.
- The government is preparing reserve logistics routes in frontline oblasts and algorithms combining rail and bus routes if tracks are damaged.
- Joint logistics security steps were discussed with partners in EU border areas and Moldova.
Why it matters
The meeting produced a set of concrete operational and financial decisions responding to a documented Russian strike campaign against Ukrainian railways and energy infrastructure. By confirming new electronic warfare contracts, reorganizing air defense based on Russian strike priorities, and preparing reserve rail-bus logistics algorithms, the Staff moved from analysis to resource allocation and contingency planning. Coordination with EU and Moldovan partners signals that protection of cross-border logistics is now treated as part of national defense.
What happened
President Zelensky convened the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on September 15 to address the protection of critical infrastructure and logistics. Ukrainian intelligence briefed participants that Ukrzaliznytsia, the gas station network, and other designated critical enterprises are priority Russian targets. The Staff analyzed in detail the protection needs of those facilities and approved contracts for the production of relevant protection systems.
A decision was taken to substantially strengthen Ukraine's electronic warfare (РЕБ) component, with additional procurement contracts confirmed. The work of designated mobile fire groups and air defense lines will be reorganized to take account of the strike plans approved by the Russian command. Tasks regarding the protection of specific critical infrastructure objects were updated, though their details were not disclosed.
On the logistics side, the Ministry of Finance was instructed to secure additional resources, and the government is preparing decisions on reserve logistics routes in frontline oblasts. Algorithms were developed for combining rail and bus routes in case railway tracks are damaged. A report on Ukrzaliznytsia's capability to repair rolling stock and supply equipment was heard, and the meeting discussed joint steps with partners on logistics security in border areas with EU countries and Moldova. Zelensky reported on the meeting via Facebook, as relayed by Ukrinform.
Background
The Staff meeting took place against a backdrop of repeated Russian strikes on Ukrainian transport infrastructure. On September 13, a Russian drone attacked the Kyiv–Warsaw international train about two kilometers from the Polish border, highlighting the threat to international rail traffic. In February, strikes on railway infrastructure in Sumy Oblast had already forced Ukrzaliznytsia to reroute trains and use buses on damaged sections. In August, Ukraine and Moldova agreed on new logistics arrangements, including the transfer of locomotives to the Ukrainian side and simplification of transit procedures. Corporate air defense groups are additionally used to protect enterprises from Russian attacks, and Zelensky had previously reported a successful test of an interceptor against Russian jet drones, though some aspects of its operation still need refinement.