РНБОУ National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

Oleksandr Turchynov: Events in Marinka prove that Russia is preparing to unleash aggression

Russia is preparing to unleash aggression and attempt of breakthrough near Marinka is a proof to that. Such was stated by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov in his interview to the 5th channel.

Oleksandr Turchynov noted that attempt of terrorist groups to make a breakthrough and capture new territories near Marinka have suffered a true fiasco. According to him, the Ukrainian military have demonstrated that they are ready to repel any offensive at any time, and terrorists have suffered significant losses. "We do not rule out that it was the offensive reconnaissance, the Russians wanted to check up how quickly Ukrainian Armed Forces can react to the military provocations", - the NSDC Secretary stated.

Oleksandr Turchynov said that in compliance with the Minsk agreements, Ukraine withdrew all heavy weapons from the line of contact, upon what terrorists were placing their reliance, covertly moving up armored units and artillery, to provide a breakthrough of Ukrainian positions.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces have shown sufficient mobility and efficiency of their actions, and it was a cold shower for those who prepared this provocation and a large-scale offensive. I am confident that they will now make alterations to their provocation plans", - Oleksandr Turchynov said.

In addition, the NSDC Secretary stressed that the issue of conflict transition to active military phase is still on the table, especially in the coming days. "According to our information, Russia is preparing for the invasion, to unleash aggression and that is why the main task for our military, defense industry is to get fully prepared for that", - he stressed.

Oleksandr Turchynov added that as long as "Russian soldiery controls our border along the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, the line of contact will be under close supervision of Ukrainian military" to prevent attacks as of the Russian-terrorist groups so of the Russian military directly.

"We can't remove the roadblocks because this, in fact, will be an opportunity for open aggression and expansion of terrorism, separatism and so forth. Until the border is sealed off, the line of collision will be strictly controlled. We must protect our country from export of terrorism and penetration of reconnaissance and sabotage groups", - the NSDC Secretary emphasized.