Zelenskyy briefed on Donetsk fighting and destruction of Russian saboteurs
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Archive photo: president.gov.ua)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a report from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi on the situation at the front. They discussed, in particular, the defense in the Pokrovsk direction and the destruction of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, the head of state reported.
"Report from Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi. The front, primarily the defense in the Pokrovsk and other directions in Donetsk region. It is in Donetsk that Russian forces have concentrated their greatest efforts. I thank all our units for their resilience," Zelenskyy said.
The President recognized, for their actions in the Pokrovsk direction, the soldiers of the Special Operations Forces and the 59th Assault Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces. For battles in the Novopavlivka direction, he acknowledged the soldiers of the 5th Assault Brigade and the 225th Separate Assault Regiment.
"Every Russian attempt to break through must receive an appropriate fire response from Ukrainian forces. In particular, we are eliminating Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups that try to advance and enter Ukrainian cities and villages. No such Russian group will have a chance of survival," Zelenskyy emphasized.
He added that today Syrskyi and Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed what forces and resources are needed for more effective elimination of Russian forces and more impactful long-range Ukrainian strikes.
According to the President, Ukrainian forces will be fully supplied.
"The situation in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv regions remains difficult. The Russian army continues to torment our people in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, attacking civilians with various types of drones. We will respond accordingly. I thank everyone who ensures Ukraine achieves the necessary combat results!" the head of state added.
Shmyhal holds meeting with Commander-in-Chief and Chief of General Staff
Newly appointed Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal held his first meeting today, July 18, with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Major General Andrii Hnatov.
They discussed the situation on the front lines, the strengthening of Ukraine's defense self-sufficiency, and the needs of the military.
Shmyhal noted that the Armed Forces Command and the Ministry of Defense will work together to fulfill assigned tasks and enhance the country's defense capabilities.
