Ukrainian MP Says Russia Has Effectively Taken Control of the Skies Over Kyiv
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko has criticized Ukraine’s air defenses following a Russian strike on the National Academy of Sciences building in central Kyiv on September 28.
According to Honcharenko, the building was hit by a standard Geran-type drone, rather than a jet-powered drone. He questioned why Ukrainian air defenses were unable to intercept the incoming drone, particularly amid reported shortages of missiles for Patriot systems.
«“I understand that we do not have missiles for the Patriot system. But shouldn’t we be able to shoot down a standard Shahed? Why aren’t we doing it? And how are we going to get through the winter?”»
Honcharenko also criticized the Ukrainian authorities’ emphasis on promises of retaliatory strikes, arguing that strengthening Kyiv’s air defenses should be the immediate priority.
“The capital of the country is essentially completely under Russian control,” he said, referring to the situation in the skies over Kyiv.
Source: Statements by Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, published on his Telegram channel on September 28, 2026. The claims have not been independently verified.