Ukraine Denies any Offensive Plan – Shares details of Russian Aggression – Weapons use against Minsk Agreement

Kyiv: 19 Feb 2022 – Government of Ukraine has made it clear that Allegations that the Ukrainian government intends to launch an offensive operation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are divorced from reality.

In connection with the Russian side accusing Ukraine of allegedly preparing an armed offensive in Donbas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine states as follows.

Ukrainian nationals reside on both sides of the contact line. Their peace, security and well-being are an absolute priority for Ukraine.

Ukraine is also not conducting or planning any sabotage acts in Donbas.

We categorically reject the attempts of Russia to aggravate the already tense security situation. We remain firmly committed to politico-diplomatic settlement and, together with our partners, maximise efforts to reduce the tension and keep the situation in line with diplomatic dialogue.

In contrast, we observe the Russian Federation unfolding its campaign to disseminate massive disinformation, increasing shelling of Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure, using the weapons banned by the Minsk Agreements, and escalating the security situation.

We call on the international community, foreign states and international organisations, to condemn immediately the provocations conducted by the Russian Federation and its occupation administrations in Donbas undermining the process of politico-diplomatic settlement.

The absence of proper reaction or a neutral stance will only serve further escalation.

The Ministry has shared the details of the Russian Aggressions committed in last week:

The Russian armed formations have unleashed provocative firing along the entire length of the contact line in Donbas, significantly aggravating the already tense security situation.
During 18 February alone, Russia violated the ceasefire 66 times, including 52 times with the use of weapons prohibited under the Minsk agreements.

 The following Ukrainian villages have been shelled from the occupied territories, damaging civilian infrastructure and causing injuries to civilians and Ukrainian military:

STANYTSIA LUHANSKA (6 times), SHCHASTIA (7 times), NOVOTOSHKIVSKE (1 time), ZOLOTE (2 times), POPASNA (3 times), SVITLODARSK (13 times), PIVDENNE (7 times), AVDIIVKA (1 time), PISKY (3 times), MARIINKA (1 time), BOHDANIVKA (7 times), HRANITNE (4 times), MARIUPOL (2 times).

 In addition to that, Russia’s illegal military formations launched 622 firearms attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 On 18 February, Russia also shelled the humanitarian convoy of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees near the crossing point SHCHASTIA as the convoy was returning from the non-government-controlled areas.

 The shelling and provocative fire represent gross violation by the armed formations of the Russian Federation of the additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire agreed within the Trilateral Contact Group on 22 July 2020. Russia is also violating its commitments under the Minsk agreements and the agreements reached by the leaders of the Normandy Format at their 2019 summit in Paris.

 Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has stated on numerous occasions that the government of Ukraine does NOT intend to launch an offensive operation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He also stressed that Ukraine is NOT conducting or planning any sabotage acts in Donbas. We remain firmly committed to the political settlement and, together with our partners, pursue the diplomatic dialogue.

 We call on our partners to condemn immediately the ceasefire violations by the Russian armed formations in Donbas and urge Moscow to deescalate. The new wave of military aggression against Ukraine will lead to severe consequences not only for security of Ukraine but also for security of the entire Europe.