Russia maintains a military contingent of 19,000 personnel near the northern borders close to Ukraine, according to Yuri Povkh, the spokesperson for the Joint Press Center of the Defense Forces of the Northern Direction. Povkh reported this during a nationwide telethon.
"In the border areas of the Sumy and Chernihiv regions from the side of the Russian Federation, there are approximately 19,000 personnel of the Russian military contingent. This figure has not changed for several months, so there is no evidence of the creation of Russian enemy strike groups. This contingent can be characterized as forces covering the border, not a striking force capable of breaking through the combat formations of our troops. Therefore, I say again – this is not an indication of the creation of a striking force of troops," stated Povkh.
According to him, the enemy in this direction utilizes rifled artillery, 120-mm mortars, FPV drones, and occasionally employs aviation.
"At present, it can be stated that the enemy is predominantly engaging in harassing fire," noted the spokesperson.
According to him, the Defense Forces stationed on the border are vigilantly on duty, preventing attempts by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRG) to cross.
"The control over the state border is constant," Povkh reassured.
