{"id":488627,"date":"2022-02-18T16:12:05","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T14:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uatv.ua\/?p=488627"},"modified":"2022-02-18T16:12:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T14:12:07","slug":"ukraine-is-not-your-enemy-ukraine-s-defense-minister-appealed-to-occupied-donbas-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uatv.ua\/en\/ukraine-is-not-your-enemy-ukraine-s-defense-minister-appealed-to-occupied-donbas-residents\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine is not your enemy, – Ukraine’s Defense Minister appealed to occupied Donbas residents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov appealed to the residents of occupied Donbas during his today’s speech <\/a>in the parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I appeal to the residents of Luhansk, Donetsk, Alchevsk, Horlivka, Yasynuvata and other cities (not controlled by Kyiv government, – ed.): do not be afraid. Ukraine is not your enemy. Those who allegedly want to protect you from Ukraine are. Do not believe the rumors of an offensive,”<\/em> Defense Minister noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba apeealed to the world community with a refutation of fake news about Ukraine’s alleged offensive against occupied Donbas cities. “Ukraine does not carry out and does not plan any similar actions in Donbas,” Kuleba tweeted<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier today, self-proclaimed leaders spread some fake news about Ukraine’s assault against temporarily occupied territories and the evacuation of the locals to the Russian territory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read also: Russian-backed militants shelled UN humanitarian convoy in Donbas<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reznikov stated that Kyiv does not confirm the withdrawal of Russian troops from the border. According to the minister, as of February 18, 149,000 Russian troops<\/a> of the ground component, as well as aviation and naval contingent are amassed at Ukrainian borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia is trying to create a fake reason<\/a> to invade Ukraine. That was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, commenting on reports of shelling on the line of contact. This is a blatant attempt by the Russian government, a typical Kremlin strategy. And the reaction will be relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February 17, the situation in the Donbas conflict area worsened after a relative lull. As reported earlier, Russia-backed militants shelled a number of civilian facilities, including a school and a kindergarten. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more details on the attacks here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2757\u2757\u2757Fresh shelling breaks out in #Donbas<\/a> – schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, railwaystations on #Kyiv<\/a>-controlled territory are targeted by #Russia<\/a>-backed militants#StandWithUkraine<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/F3POPPcQtw<\/a><\/p>— UATV English (@UATV_en) February 18, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>