Today in the morning an anti-terrorist operation has started in the north of Donetsk Oblast.   

This was informed by Acting President of Ukraine, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov opening the Parliament’s plenary meeting on Tuesday.  

He claimed that Russia’s plans “were and still are brutal”, “they want the whole South and East of Ukraine to burn”. “The fact that most regions are now stable and show an example for support of our country and our statehood, which is also an achievement of the government and people’s deputies who are now located in the problematic regions”, stressed the Chairman of the Parliament.   

Oleksandr Turchynov claimed that “there is a great threat” to the Donbas. “Apart from Russian special units and terrorists, there are hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens deceived by the Russian propaganda, and hundreds of thousands of innocent Ukrainians, so any anti-terrorist measures should be taken responsibly, and these measures are aimed at protecting our citizens”, he stressed.    

Oleksandr Turchynov informed that today in the morning an anti-terrorist operation has started in the north of Donetsk Oblast, and it will be carried out “in stages, responsibly and prudently”. “These measures are aimed at protecting Ukrainian citizens, at stopping terror, criminality and attempts to tear our country apart”, he emphasized.     

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada addressed everyone wanting to show heroism and protect Ukraine to get recruited to the law-enforcement bodies, the National Guard, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “Smashing windows in the Verkhovna Rada is not heroism, it is a crime against the state”, he added.   

Oleksandr Turchynov also claimed it is possible to change leadership of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers, however, this would not improve the economic situation. “We need consolidation of the whole country, we need to stop the hysteria, we need unity, confidence and coordinated actions. I am sure that peacefully and confidently we together will establish order in the country and we will win”, he claimed.     

Press Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine