«We don't even have money for drones»: Riazhskikh criticises creation of resistance centre in Mykolaiv region

Mykolaiv Regional Council deputy Alla Riazhskikh. Photo: archive NikVesti

Mykolaiv Regional Council deputy Alla Riazhskikh questioned the feasibility of creating a new regional centre for training citizens for national resistance, as communities do not have the funds for this, and other structures already perform similar functions.

This was discussed during a meeting of the Commission on Ecology of the Mykolaiv Regional Council, according to NikVesti.

As it is known, the Mykolaiv region plans to create a municipal institution «Mykolaiv Regional Centre for Training Citizens for National Resistance» — a decision initiated in accordance with a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

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The project stipulates that the centre will train civilians for national resistance, including tactical medicine, security basics, engineering and firearms training, UAV skills, psychological resilience and international humanitarian law. The courses will be held according to standardised programmes approved by the Command of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Oleh Mamontov, head of the defence and mobilisation department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, said that the creation of such centres across the country is an initiative under the control of the President's Office, with Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk personally overseeing it.

However, MP Alla Riazhskikh from the party «European Solidarity» did not understand the need for such a centre, as there is a utility company «Varta» in the region.

«Why can't the company perform these functions? Why do we need to recruit new people? Why spend budget funds that are not available, especially in hromadas? And here we are saying: in the 11th year of the war, let's educate the adult part of Ukraine in a patriotic way. It seems to me that Ukraine has proved that the adult part of Ukraine, and not just the general part of Ukraine, is patriotic and well-mannered, because we would not be in Mykolaiv now, but in Russia. Please tell me how this will be done in practice: where physically, who will do it, for what money, if the communities do not have it?» said Alla Riazhskikh.

In her opinion, instead of creating a new institution, these funds should be used to purchase drones, which currently lacks state funding.

«I have cognitive dissonance. It is not natural for me to educate adults. Those who are patriots have already proven that they are patriots. And those who are, excuse me, collaborators — you cannot re-educate them. Three days ago, the President of Ukraine came out and said that we don't have the money to produce drones. Is that right? We have the potential to produce 8 million drones a year, but we don't have that capability. Please tell us, how are these two issues being addressed? So now all the communities of Ukraine will start raising funds to create a new structure? Perhaps it would be better to help the president and use this money to buy drones, because there will be no one to train them. You know, if you go to Kherson, you will see this very clearly. I understand that you have been given a decree, and you have to fulfil it. But please tell me, has there been any feedback from the Cabinet of Ministers? After all, our regional military administration, for example, writes that there is no money and considers it expedient to buy drones,» added Alla Riazhskikh.

Despite the comments, Oleh Mamontov insisted on the importance of the practical component of such exercises. According to him, it is not only about patriotism, but also about basic awareness of people: how to recognise a mine, how to act in case of shelling, where to seek help, how to work with UAVs, etc.

«Resistance must come from every household. People need to know how to protect themselves and others,» said Oleh Mamontov.

In response, Alla Riazhskikh reminded that similar initiatives are already being implemented by NGOs with grant funds, and it is not clear why a new municipal institution should be created for this purpose.

«We already have «VARTA», which conducts training, and there are NGOs that do it. Why do we have to maintain a separate centre? At what expense, if we don't even have enough money for repairs in the communities?» she added.

After the discussion, the commission members decided to support the issue being brought to the regional council session. Alla Riazhskikh warned that she would abstain from voting:

«I cannot vote «against» because I understand the importance of the idea. But I can't vote for «for» either, because I don't see how it will be implemented without harming the communities,» said Alla Riazhskikh.

The decision to establish the centre will be made at the next session of the regional council.