The situation on the delimitation line in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in the Luhansk region, where illegal armed groups attacked the positions of the Ukrainian military this morning, is under the control of the Ukrainian party, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We have a powerful army. Provocations happen, the army responded firmly. The situation is completely controlled. We are confident that this provocation will not change the course (towards the end of the war - ed.), as one can sit at the negotiating table only with a strong army,” the Head of State said during a briefing at the Office of the President.
According to him, Ukraine seeks to end the war and tries to achieve a sustainable peace.
The President expressed condolences to the relatives of the killed Ukrainian military and wished recovery to the wounded soldiers.
As stated by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak during the briefing, after 5 am today, the illegal armed groups opened fire on the positions of the 72nd and 93rd separate mechanized brigades. The enemy also used 152mm artillery systems prohibited by the Minsk agreements.
After that, the militants attempted to attack the observation posts at the positions of both brigades.
"The forces of the two brigades repelled the attack of the assault groups," the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.
According to him, there was a further fight, but the Ukrainian military gave an adequate response using all weapons.
"As of now (12:30 - ed.) all our positions are under the control of our troops. Starting from 10 am, the enemy requested ceasefire, as they needed to take away their dead and wounded. Our losses are the following: 1 soldier killed, 3 wounded and 2 shell-shocked,” Ruslan Khomchak said.
He informed that the wounded and shell-shocked soldiers had been hospitalized and provided the necessary assistance.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that the Joint Coordination and Control Center (JCCC) was operating at the scene of hostilities.
«Now the situation is stable, controlled, the fire stopped. All reserves, all units operate in accordance with previously adopted decisions and all plans,” Ruslan Khomchak said.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that during the attack, the Ukrainian party had acted in accordance with all international documents.
“We responded decently,” he added.
According to Ruslan Khomchak, the armed provocation has taken place not near the area where disengagement of forces and hardware had previously been held.
"There are five Zolote villages. And today we are not talking about the areas of disengagement... There have been no problems since disengagement in Zolote,” the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized.
At the same time, he said, the war continued and the collision line has a length of 410 km.
"And such events happen every other day on the collision line," Ruslan Khomchak said.