The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Police can often be found at the sites of enemy attacks, in frontline communities, or at the positions of a rifle battalion defending the country as part of the Defense Forces. Our previous interview took place in 2023, during a trip to Orikhiv. This time, we met in the general’s office.
A drone on his desk catches our eye. It turns out to be a “trophy”—a Russian drone that was “brought down” by a rifle crew defending the skies over the village of Bilenke in Zaporizhzhia District. According to Artem Kysko, it is far from the only enemy UAV they have shot down.
“This drone is Russian and has an aluminum frame. We already have many different types of captured drones—fixed-wing aircraft, strike drones, Supercams, Orlans. Our police officers shoot down drones and dismantle them. We have even thought about putting together an exhibition,” Artem explains.
FREE INDEPENDENCE THAT SOCIETY FAILED TO APPRECIATE
Ukrinform (UI): On August 17, it will be four years since you took charge of the regional police force. Zaporizhzhia and the region as a whole have been through a great deal during this time. But I would like to begin our conversation not with what you are proud of over these four years, but with what you consider your biggest failure or mistake.
