Ukrainian president calls up operational reserve, appeals to economic patriotism
Moscow's decision to recognize the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics and its decision to deploy troops in the area means "Russia has in fact withdrawn from the Minsk agreements", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in a video address.
He said that Ukraine seeks to end war through negotiations in any format, therefore it is arranging a meeting of the UN Security Council permanent members, Ukraine, Turkey and Germany.
He thanked international leaders for sanctions on Russian and financial support for Ukraine.
Zelensky noted that while there is no need for general mobilization, Ukraine needs to promptly man the Ukrainian army and other military units. Therefore he has issued a decree on the call up of operational reserve in a special period.
Reservists of the territorial defence forces will undergo boot camp training soon.
He also announced a programme of "economic patriotism" that is expected to stimulate domestic production, ease the tax burden and inspections.
Zelenskyy said that he met leaders of the parliamentary faction tonight because "everyone understands that we need a defence coalition in parliament" to be able to pass swift, joint and important decisions for the country's economic resilience and defence.
"Ukrainians are a peaceful nation. We want silence. But if we remain silent today, we will disappear tomorrow. Hard daily work is ahead. But we are ready. We are confident. We are confident of our country. We are confident of victory," he concluded.
Martial law deferred for now
At a meeting with the president, the heads of the parliamentary factions put off the idea of introducing martial law for now, Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamiya said.
He added though that the introduction of emergency or special rule in Donetsk and Luhansk region is possible.
Donbas
A Ukrainian serviceman was killed near the village of Novotroyitske, Volnovakha District in Donetsk Region, an adviser to the interior minister, Anton Herashchenko, has said.
Earlier, the Joint Forces Operation HQ said two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded amid 47 shooting attacks by the Russian occupying forces. Thirty of them involved banned heavy weapons.
Russian manoeuvers
North Operative-Tactical Group Commander Dmytro Krasylnykov has said that there are Russian troops on the northern and eastern side of the Ukrainian border. From time to time, they demonstratively approach the border at a distance of 2-3 km, carry out manoeuvers and return to their places. In some cases, the vehicles have approached at a distance of less than 1 km.
They seek to intimidate the local population and Ukrainian troops, he added, but the Ukrainian army is ready to give a decent answer.
Top tycoon pays 1bn hryvnyas in advance tax
Businessman Rinat Akhmetov has announced that his SCM company has paid 1bn hryvnyas in taxes in advance and called for unity between the authorities, business and citizens of Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"I have repeatedly said and I repeat again that our common goal is a strong, peaceful, independent, integral Ukraine within the borders recognised by international law. Everyone in his own realm must do everything to strengthen the country," Akhmetov said.
He noted that the threat of invasion requires maximum unity.
Concerns about prison riots
Justice Minister Denys Malyuska has said that Russian crime bosses can instigate riots in Ukrainian prisons soon. "In the coming weeks, keep calm about fake videos and paid protests near prisons," he said.