Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev: In the north, over 500,000 anti-tank mines have been installed

In the probable directions of the Russian army's advance from the north, over 500,000 anti-tank mines have been installed, said the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev.

"Anti-tank minefields have been created, groups of anti-tank mines. Sets of anti-personnel explosive devices, shells, mined obstacles, and more have been installed. The density of mine-explosive obstacles in the Northern operational zone has increased 16 times. In parallel, non-explosive obstacles were installed, and objects of transport infrastructure, including bridges and roads, were prepared for destruction," the statement said.

As Nayev noted, within the framework of the "stabilization operation," engineering equipment of defense lines was carried out, which includes fortification equipment and a system of engineering obstacles.

At the moment, 'measures are being taken to improve the fortification equipment of defense lines, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of engineering obstacles,' says the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Also, in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, work is underway on fortification equipment for positions on the second line with active participation from local authorities, he clarified.

"We are jointly creating conditions to make the state border of Ukraine in the Northern operational zone absolutely impassable for enemy forces. In close cooperation with the heads of military administrations, we are constructing military engineering-technical and fortification structures, installing additional surveillance cameras. This work has been carried out 24/7, 365 days a year," noted Nayev.

According to the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, "constant interaction with military administrations on the protection of critical infrastructure objects has been organized, including the installation of additional fortification structures and equipment, and the increase in the number of mobile anti-aircraft defense fire groups."

In addition, as the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine mentioned, "to counteract enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups from Russia along the borders of the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, counter-sabotage reserves have been created. On the most threatening directions, the use of engineering obstacles, means of control and observation of the terrain, and aerial reconnaissance are being implemented."

On December 19, Serhiy Nayev reported that new mobile anti-aircraft defense fire groups are operating in the Northern operational zone, which operate not only on land but also on water.