Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Tuesday, March 24, that he had “many questions” for the military after Russian drones reached the western Ukrainian city, prompting a public response from drone forces commander Robert Brovdi, known as “Madyar.”
In a comment to Novyny.LIVE, Sadovyi said the city has been consistently supplying the military with drones and anti-drone systems.
“I have many questions for everyone. As a city, we buy drones every day, we buy anti-drone systems. We buy everything we are asked for and transfer it,” Sadovyi said.
“We spend a significant share of the city budget supporting the military. So I think there are many questions for everyone,” he added.
Sadovyi said his immediate priority was assisting civilians affected by the attack.
“My task now is to help people – to ensure they have a place to stay overnight and that hospitals provide proper care. This we will do,” he said.
Later, on Wednesday, Sadovyi walked back his earlier remarks, saying his comments had been “emotional and inappropriate.” Heexpressed “deep respect” for Ukraine’s air defense forces and military personnel, adding that decisions on the use of resources are made by those best positioned to assess operational needs. Sadovyi said he made the statement while standing near a burning building in central Lviv following the strike.
Commander responds to criticism
Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, responded later on Telegram, criticizing Sadovyi’s remarks and defending air defense efforts.
“Not a single night in 2026 has been quiet – everyone must remain on alert,” Brovdi wrote.
He said Russia has been launching large-scale drone attacks daily, with at least 100 drones used per day throughout March and up to 400-500 in some cases.
“Fifteen Shahed drones out of 556 reached their targets today – about 3%,” he said.
“There is no air defense system on Earth capable of destroying 100% of such attacks,” Brovdi added, saying Ukrainian forces intercept around 95-97% of drones.
Addressing Sadovyi directly, he urged officials to refrain from criticizing the military.
“It is not for you to reproach those who are working day and night to intercept these drones,” he wrote.
“Take care of people, and we will continue working in the sky.”
Russian drone attack hits Lviv
A Russian drone strike hit central Lviv on Tuesday, injuring at least two people and damaging residential buildings, local officials said.
Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said the attack struck the city center and may have affected a UNESCO-listed heritage area. Sadovyi said a residential building was damaged, while emergency services were deployed at the scene. Explosions were also reported in Ternopil, Mayor Taras Pastukh said, urging residents to remain in shelters.
Sadovyi later reported another strike on a residential building in Lviv’s Sykhiv district on Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue, with debris also found near Bandera Street. A 51-year-old woman was hospitalized with blast injuries, while another person sought medical assistance independently. As of Wednesday morning, 27 people had sought medical help, with seven remaining hospitalized – two in moderate condition at St. Panteleimon Hospital and five at St. Luke Hospital, including three in serious but stable condition. Officials warned of further attack risks. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 426 aerial targets overnight, with 390 intercepted or suppressed.