The Russians keep about 19,000 troops near the border with the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. The Armed Forces speaker says this is not an invasion group but troops to cover the border.
The situation on the border of Sumy and Chernihiv regions
The spokesman of the joint press centre of the Northern Defense Forces, Yuriy Povkh, said on the telethon air that approximately 19,000 members of the contingent of Russian troops are concentrated on the border of the Sumy and Chernihiv regions from the side of the Russian Federation.
This indicator has not changed for several months, so it is unnecessary to say that there are signs of the creation of strike groups by the enemy.
Povkh explained that this contingent of Russian invaders can be characterised as border cover troops.
This is not a striking force capable of breaking through the battle formations of our troops. Therefore, I say once again — this is not a sign of the creation of a assault troops' group.
He emphasised that the Ukrainian troops stationed on the northern border are "vigilantly on duty and preventing the passage of enemy sabotage groups".
Control over the state border is permanent, Povkh emphasised.
Russian sabotage groups in the north: what is known
On December 15, in the previous two weeks, the Armed Forces recorded seven attempts by the enemy to enter the territory of Ukraine.
According to Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, the Defense Forces detected these intentions in five cases. They inflicted fire damage on the enemy, who retreated after suffering losses.
In the area of Myropillia, in Sumy Region, one of the sabotage gruops tried to cross our state border. Thanks to technical means, they were detected in a timely manner, fire damage was inflicted from mortars, artillery and rifles.
