Poroshenko: Joint Forces Operation to Be Launched in Donbas

Photo from Ukrinform–UATV

 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas would be changing its format to become the Joint Forces Operation as early as April 30.

“It dramatically changes the management organization of the military structure. The leadership is transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The AFU gets additional powers to respond to the aggression, and the units of the National Guard, Security Service of Ukraine, State Border Service, National Police and other law enforcement agencies become subordinates of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This will make the actions of the Ukrainian military much more efficient, not only in repelling the armed aggression, but also in countering subversive groups,” reads Poroshenko’s statement.

The president noted that the number of attempts of terrorist attacks against Ukraine had already exceeded 400. Terrorists are trained in camps located in Rostov, Belgorod, Kursk and other regions of the Russian Federation. Some of them are recruited in Ukrainian occupied territories, and some of them are Russian citizens.

“Ukraine must be united and strong to counter these threats,” Poroshenko emphasized.