"I shoot down 90% of what is flying at me": Kim warned about weak coverage of the western regions

Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Kim recently said that western and rear regions of Ukraine in some cases may be less prepared for Russian shelling than regions that live under a constant threat from the front. He voiced this assessment during a large professional discussion dedicated to preparations for the next heating season and the protection of critical infrastructure.

According to the head of the region, the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defense is increasing, but even a high interception rate does not mean complete safety. He cited an estimate that during mass attacks there are now roughly a thousand “Shaheds”, of which more than nine hundred are neutralized, yet critical infrastructure continues to take hits. Kim emphasized that most damage is repaired quickly, but mostly in emergency rather than full reconstruction mode, so the consequences of such attacks are accumulating across the country.

He also suggested that in the future the Russian army may shift the focus of attacks toward western oblasts and rear regions, where part of the business has relocated. In his own assessment, Mykolaiv region currently shoots down about 90% of enemy drones, while in some rear regions this figure may be only 10-20%. These figures were presented as the regional head’s estimate during the public discussion.

“I predict that the attacks will head west next time, to places that are less protected, where business has been relocated. Because the frontline areas are already protected. I shoot down, roughly, 90% of what flies at me; the western regions — 10 or 20,” — said Vitaliy Kim.

Against this background, Mykolaiv region continues to strengthen both drone defenses and the resilience of critical infrastructure. Over the past weeks the region has publicly discussed new threats from FPV drones, the development of means to intercept “Shaheds”, and the decentralization of heat supply and preparation of critical infrastructure facilities for the next winter.

Previously we wrote:

• Water is no longer an obstacle: FPV drones find their way to Mykolaiv region, – Vitaliy Kim
• Kim announced municipal production of drones to shoot down “Shaheds”
• “Energy island” is working: Kim described how our region saves Mykolaiv and other regions with electricity
• Mykolaiv region secured a resilience plan for 2026 worth UAH 2 billion
• NSDC launches a Resilience Plan for regions: Kim outlined strengthening protection of energy, water and heat