Attacks on Fire Point Will Harm the Military: Commander of 'Asgard' on the Consequences of the Scandal
The scandal and media attacks on the Ukrainian long-range drone manufacturer Fire Point may have far more serious consequences than political or reputational losses. Primarily, they can harm the military personnel who use UAVs and missiles daily to strike Russian targets. This was stated by one of the commanders of the 'Asgard' unit, part of the Unmanned Systems Forces, with the call sign 'Gioconda'.
According to the military man, criticism around Fire Point unfolded precisely when Ukraine began demonstrating qualitatively new capabilities to strike deep into Russian territory and it became clear that a company had appeared on the arms market that could compete in the weapons market.
"I am more than confident that the scandals we see now are connected exactly with this. When a manufacturer comes out with a price significantly lower than what Europeans and Americans are used to, the resistance will be significant. That's 100%. I am more than confident that the scandals we see now are connected exactly with this," 'Gioconda' said in an interview with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_qoo2sSNio UNIAN.
The military emphasized that most critics, including anti-corruption activists and some MPs, assess the situation solely through a political prism, not understanding how a modern strike unit support system actually works.
According to him, the goal of the information attacks is to convince society that there is massive corruption and thus destabilize it from within.
'Gioconda' spoke especially harshly about calls from certain anti-corruption activists and politicians to cut funding for the manufacturer or reconsider state support for the program.
"The main thing is that when this is aimed at the very means that truly gives us leverage over the enemy, that is, where we can really sit at the table and say, for example, that we will not launch 1,000 or 2,000 drones at Moscow, although we are capable of launching them. Like, we don't have such manufacturers. Now name me a manufacturer, all these Shabunins, Zheleznyaks say: 'take the money away' (state orders for the production of missiles and drones at Fire Point – ed.). Well, take it away. Will you fight or what? Will you come and then launch? We'll put you in jail, I don't know, for some 'Lyutyi' [prison camp], you'll fly there. How many 'Lyutyi' can they release? Like 1,000 pieces for half a year," the military stressed.
In his opinion, Fire Point's uniqueness lies not only in the drone itself but in creating a full ecosystem of production, training, logistics, and service that allows strikes to be carried out daily.
"People really like how it burns, but they don't want to think about what set it on fire. Everyone is interested. Oh, it burns. So, think about it, if you take away their money, what then? Shabunin will create this enterprise. Who will create it? There is no monopoly. The monopoly is that strong managers came. Let's honestly put aside who Mindich, Khvindich are – those are their problems. Let the authorities investigate and imprison everyone, that's 100%," he emphasized.
The commander warns that any halt in production or disruption of supplies will immediately be felt at the front.
"This is a system that has led to the regular striking of the enemy on the battlefield. And I emphasize again, not just in some zone, but from zero to deep rear," explained 'Gioconda'.
According to him, today Fire Point is used by dozens of Defense Forces units, and the military understands the value of the strike means produced by this company.
"I don't know a single unit that uses Fire Point and would say it is a bad tool. Everyone enjoys it. Because it is a system of application. It is a system that has led to the regular striking of the enemy on the battlefield," 'Gioconda' said.
The commander said that if the company cannot supply drones to the military, it will be very difficult to replace it. "If it is taken away, there will be a certain gap until some manufacturer appears who can create the same system. I don't believe it will appear even within a year. I don't believe it, we work with these means. Someone is trying to create the same system, and the Defense Forces help, everyone cooperates," he noted.
'Gioconda' also called on politicians and activists not to substitute the work of law enforcement agencies with information campaigns.
"Don't quarrel, let the authorities handle it, and everything should be confidential. And you are all agitating people. Maybe I am taking a big risk, but honestly, I want to return home. I want to my family. And in this tool, and in general, as it is now, the possibility to fight, I see the possibility to really return home, to my child, to my wife, and finally live my life in a free Ukraine. And if all this goes as it is now... well, let's again, as always... Ukraine loves to reach a peak somewhere, and then that's it, like, let's go again on the same rake," the military said.
Earlier, activist Vitaliy Shabunin from the Center for Countering Corruption proposed nationalizing Fire Point. Moreover, in his interviews, the activist regularly accuses the company of fraud and claims that Fire Point's weapons are ineffective.
Author: Volodymyr Pravo
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