Situation on front line is not catastrophic, but there is nuance

Photo: Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (Getty Images)

The situation at the frontline is difficult, but far from catastrophic. Russia is trying to create a grey zone, stated Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Lytvynenko during a video address to the participants of the Baltic Sea Region Forum: «NATO 2024 and the Arctic Europe».

According to Lytvynenko, the Defense Forces continue to fight for settlements in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. What is worse, however, is that the enemy is targeting its air strikes against critical infrastructure facilities that supply large industrial cities in eastern and southern Ukraine.

"Putin is making good on his threat to create a grey zone," added NSDC Secretary.

According to him, the enemy is using the so-called strategy of provoking a migration crisis, as not only the military, but also children, women, and the elderly are dying and suffering as a result of shelling.

Russia is trying to change the world order

Lytvynenko added that Russia aims not only at the complete occupation of Ukraine but also at changing the world order.

"Power would take the place of law, arbitrariness would take the place of human rights, and authoritarianism would substitute democracy. And most importantly, slavery would replace freedom," he added.

The NSDC Secretary says that the enemy understands only the language of force, and therefore the West must be stronger and ready to use that force.

Situation at the frontline

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 140 combat engagements occurred at the frontline over the past day, April 19. The enemy fired 4056 times at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian settlements.

In recent weeks, Russians have intensified combat actions in the Kharkiv direction. At first, the enemy tried to break through the line of defense of Ukrainian soldiers, and then - to stretch the line of active hostilities towards the Donetsk region.

As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, the Russian forces were unable to accomplish the task which caused them to intensify their offensive in the Kharkiv region.