The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine responded to the uproar concerning reports about the transfer of specialists from the engineering and aviation service to the infantry.
"In light of the media uproar regarding the transfer of specialists from the engineering and aviation service to units of other branches and types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I officially announce that such transfers will not take place! This also applies to other critical specialties within the Air Forces," stated Acting Commander of the Air Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, in a Telegram message.
He also pointed out that this does not involve the transfer of individuals who studied abroad on Western equipment for anti-aircraft missile troops, trained personnel from mobile fire groups, or other highly specialized specialists, for whom finding replacements is objectively difficult.
"The situation at the front indeed requires complex decisions from the top military leadership, particularly regarding the transfer of Air Force personnel to other branches and types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Air Forces have been reinforcing their combat comrades at the front for several years, especially concerning units preparing based on the Joint Infantry Brigade of the Air Forces, and fighting in the hottest areas of the front," explained the lieutenant general.
Additionally, according to Kryvonozhko, in accordance with the decisions made, the Air Forces are gradually transferring a certain number of personnel to ground units to strengthen brigades on the front line.
"However, this will not pertain to critical specialties and specialists involved in executing combat aviation tasks," he noted.
The acting commander added that the Air Forces are continually working to strengthen the anti-aircraft missile troops, enhance the operational efficiency of mobile fire groups, and improve the effectiveness of the aviation component. This development of the Air Forces will continue, Kryvonozhko assured.
Background
The issue of transferring military personnel from air defense to infantry units has been raised several times in recent months. In December, The Guardian reported that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly ordered Ukrainian air defense units to transfer their personnel to the infantry due to a shortage of personnel.
Yuriy Ignat, a representative of the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, commented on the article at that time, explaining that all branches and types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine direct personnel to the units and parts of the Ground Forces, and the Air Forces are no exception, as they are the second largest in the army.
Specifically, according to his information, the Air Forces are directing personnel from the Joint Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where servicemen first undergo training before being sent to challenging combat operations as part of units. He does not deny that the transfer to the infantry creates problematic issues with personnel within the Air Forces. At the same time, Ignat assured that the effectiveness of air defense is not declining.
On January 14, 2025, volunteer Serhiy Sternenko raised this issue again. He wrote that a critical situation is developing in the Air Forces, which could result in the country losing its aviation component altogether. Sternenko noted that due to the forced transfer of air defense specialists, the detection of missiles and drones would significantly worsen.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has already denied the transfer of critically scarce aviation specialists to the infantry.