During a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed countermeasures against possible russian offensive operations in the Chernihiv-Kyiv sector. Zelenskyy announced this on his Telegram channel, according to the Ukrainian News agency.
"I chaired the meeting. We thoroughly analyzed the intelligence data we have regarding Russian plans for offensive operations on the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis. We are preparing responses to every possible scenario of enemy action in case the Russians actually dare to expand their aggression. Our forces on that axis will be reinforced," he said.
In addition, Zelenskyy instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare additional diplomatic measures regarding Belarus, which russia could use to expand the war. The President added that corresponding non-public tasks have also been assigned to Ukrainian intelligence services.
The Staff also discussed expanding the scope of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” and applying more significant pressure on russia to reduce its aggression.
In addition, the Staff took note of information regarding russia’s preparations for new mobilization measures—an additional 100,000 people.
"We believe that as of today, Russia lacks the capacity for covert mobilization; therefore, we should expect Russian political decisions of a different nature, such as those recently made regarding the Transnistrian region of Moldova," Zelenskyy noted.
Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine will definitely defend itself; the current task is to strengthen the state so that none of the five russian scenarios for expanding the war through northern Ukraine will succeed.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Zelenskyy previously stated that russia is attempting to draw Belarus even further into the war; specifically, the aggressor country is considering plans for a new offensive on the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis from Belarusian territory.
On May 18, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced the start of joint exercises with russia on the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support.
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