PRESS RELEASE : In the Kherson region, Volodymyr Zelenskyy observed the drills of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 12 February 2022.

During a working trip to the Kherson region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy observed the conduct of tactical and special exercises of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

The exercises are taking place in Kalanchak, near the administrative border with the temporarily occupied Crimea. They are aimed at preparing the Interior Ministry as much as possible to respond effectively to destabilizing factors.

The Head of State was informed that, according to the exercise script, plans are being prepared for internal destabilization of the situation with the use of elements of hybrid warfare. In particular, with the help of social networks and telegram-bots, false information is spread about the allegedly difficult situation in the energy sector, interruptions in heating and water supply, rolling blackouts. Against this background, according to the script, there are riots, attempts to undermine critical infrastructure, and seize administrative buildings.

To overcome this situation, law enforcement officers have worked out skills to deploy an operational headquarters, eliminate emergencies related to the disconnection of the village from the electricity supply, and ensure public order.

In addition, operations were carried out to stabilize the situation on the border with the temporarily occupied territories, to respond to the facts of illegal crossing of checkpoints, etc. There was also a special operation to identify, block and eliminate armed groups and sabotage-reconnaissance groups, detain armed criminals, and liberate seized administrative buildings.

“These are mass exercises, 1,300 people are involved. These exercises are not accidental, they take place in all border regions of our state. Coordinated work of the National Police, SES, National Guard. This is how our state was supposed to work in 2014,” the President said during a conversation with media representatives in the Kherson region.

He stressed that military exercises will be held in Ukraine simultaneously.

“Yesterday a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council took place, we are acting in accordance with our plan. We are not afraid of anyone, do not panic, everything is under control,” the Head of State stressed.