The reports spread by the aggressor state of the Russian Federation about the alleged “preparation of Ukraine for the attack on Donbass” are not true and constitute a purposeful disinformation campaign. This campaign aims to discredit Ukraine in the international arena, spread panic among the population of the temporarily occupied territories, change the information agenda to promote the Kremlin’s geostrategic interests.

Do not fall for provocations, do not spread deliberately false information and do not become an instrument of hybrid warfare in the hands of the enemy!

The top military-political leadership of Ukraine has identified a political-diplomatic scenario for the settlement of the international armed conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as a priority. The liberation of the temporarily occupied territories by force will inevitably lead to the death of a large number of civilians and casualties among the military, which is unacceptable for Ukraine. Being committed to universal values and norms of international humanitarian law, our state puts the lives of its citizens first.

I reiterate that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready for an adequate response both in the event of an escalation of the conflict in the area of the Joint Forces Operation and in the event of a complexification of military-political and military-strategic situation around Ukraine.

Using intimidation and blackmail of military force, Russia is artificially exacerbating the situation to achieve its own geostrategic goals. The Kremlin builds up interspecific groups of troops (forces) along the state border and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, using them as an additional tool of pressure.

Ukraine is supported by the entire civilized world. We are not alone in the face of the enemy.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine actively promote the implementation of the Euro-Atlantic course of the state. We have intensified military dialogue with the NATO at the strategic level and deepened cooperation in the Black Sea region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine participate in collective training of troops (forces), including NATO exercises under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

NATO-Ukraine cooperation is of an exceptionally peaceful nature, aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and comprehensively contributing to the achievement of the military criteria for full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic choice is a sovereign right of our state, which Russia has no right to influence.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Colonel-General Ruslan Khomchak

The text of the message is taken from the official FB page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Photo: president.gov.ua