President Petro Poroshenko signed the Decree on approval of the NSDC decision on a large-scale antiterrorist operation in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which introduces the NSDC decision to change the format of the large-scale antiterrorist operation introduced in 2014.
The Head of State also signed the Order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the beginning of the Joint Forces Operation on ensuring the national security and defense, deflection and deterrence of Russia's armed aggression in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
President thanked Commander of the ATO Mykhailo Zabrodskyi "for the brilliant execution of tasks" and conveyed leadership to the Commander of the Joint Forces, General Serhiy Nayev.
The Head of State appealed to the Commander of the Joint Forces: "If the enemy goes into a large-scale offensive, you are primarily responsible for repelling the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation".
"Thus, from today, April 30, 2018, the large-scale ATO on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is completed. We are now starting the military operation under the leadership of the Armed Forces to ensure the protection of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of our state. The ATO has ended, and the counteraction to aggression will be completed when the last piece of Ukrainian land will be released in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as in the territory of the occupied Crimea. This is our fundamental position,” the President said.
Sources:
The Presidential Administration of Ukraine official website
