Joint statement of Minister of Defence of Ukraine and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“The army and volunteers managed to stand in 2014, when the ‘brother’ brazenly stabbed in the back. At that time, many people were not psychologically ready to resist those with whom they sat at the same table yesterday. Now the situation is completely different. The Kremlin is well aware of this, and it is an important deterrent. Today we have the most powerful army in Ukraine for the last 15 years and the most powerful army in Europe, our army is led by combat generals and officers. Ilovaisk, Debaltsevo left scars on its heart, but hardened its will. The heroic defence of Donetsk and Luhansk airports, the daily defence of dozens of settlements — from Stanytsia Luhanska to Shyrokyne — made the fighting spirit unbreakable. Anyone who has looked our soldiers in the eyes at least once is convinced that there will be no repeat of 2014, that the aggressor will not take Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, or any other city. Do not doubt, the Armed Forces are absolutely ready to fight back and will not give up the Ukrainian lands!” stressed Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov.
“420,000 Ukrainian soldiers and every without exception commander have already looked in the eyes of death. Commanders of the Forces, commanders of brigades, battalions and companies are specialists in their field and patriots of their state. We will not give away a single piece of Ukrainian land!” added Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
The Minister of Defence, in turn, added that this is not the first time in the last six months that “announcements” of a large-scale Russian invasion were made, and they should be seen as an additional way to break the enemy’s plans.
Oleksii Reznikov also noted that today Ukraine has unprecedented support from international partners — the largest one since Independence. In particular, this is manifested in the supply of defence weapons, which has increased the capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to repel the aggressor. During the month, almost 2,000 tons of modern weapons, ammunition and body armour were received from various countries. Our soldiers have already been trained and are ready to use the whole arsenal of tools.
The Minister of Defence stressed that the situation is controlled by Ukrainian intelligence, the army and diplomats.
Ukraine coordinates its actions with the world’s leading states 24/7. Such a union of leading democracies has not existed for decades.
Many countries are now truly comprehending the threat by the Russia’s actions and are emotionally go through it. Ukraine went through this 8 years ago.
“No one can look into the heads of Kremlin leaders and say for sure what exactly the actions could be taken. But we calculate absolutely all development scenarios and are ready for them. Today, many statements are being made, and Moscow is even saying that Ukraine is planning to attack Russia. This is absurd. We are not going to attack anyone, but we are doing everything to strengthen the defence and eliminate the possibility of escalation. We plan to follow the political-diplomatic path. I will tell you more, it is through diplomacy and peace that both Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Crimea and Sevastopol will return home! It is through this path that we now have incredible political and military technical aid from our partners, and it is through this path that the Kremlin has lifted its brazen blockade of Azov. Based on this path, we will seek to unblock the waters of the Black Sea. The powerful army that we are building up every day, the Territorial Defence Forces, are our important diplomatic arguments,” the Minister of Defence of Ukraine added.
“I assure that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to fight back. We conduct and will conduct training. Already, the active phase of the command-staff exercises ‘Snowstorm-2022’ is being carried out throughout our country. We are constantly improving our defence capabilities, coherence of units and military skills. We have created combat formations and managed to deploy the Territorial Defence Forces in a short time and arm them with ATGMs and MANPADS. We have strengthened the defence of Kyiv. We went through the war and received proper training. Therefore, they are ready to meet enemies not with flowers, but with Stingers, Javelins and NLAW. Welcome to hell!” said Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
“What to do now? Keep calm, support the Armed Forces and diplomats. Calmness is now the main weapon that can provide us with a solid foundation for defence. To continue a normal life, to work is to ensure normal economic activity, and hence the ability of the Armed Forces to defend the country as much as necessary. Keep calm and do whatever you have to do, so that we all become stronger together”, Oleksii Reznikov summed up.
Sources: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
