President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a Staff meeting, during which the available intelligence data on Russia’s planning of offensive operations in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction was analyzed in detail.
“We are preparing responses to every possible course of enemy action – if the Russians do indeed dare to expand their aggression. Our forces in this sector will be increased,” the Head of State noted.
The President also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to prepare additional measures of diplomatic influence regarding Belarus, which Russia may use to expand the war. Relevant non-public tasks have also been assigned to Ukrainian intelligence services.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is preparing to expand the reach of its long-range sanctions, which have already proven very effective, and to more tangibly compel Russia to reduce its aggression.
The Staff also took note of information about Russia’s preparations for new mobilization steps – an additional 100,000 people. Ukraine believes that, as of today, Russia lacks such potential for covert mobilization. Therefore, Russian political decisions of another format should be expected, including ones like the recent decision regarding the Transnistrian region of Moldova.
“Ukraine will certainly defend itself, and right now our task is to strengthen our state so that none of Russia’s five scenarios for expanding the war through northern Ukraine succeeds. I thank everyone who is helping,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.