Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyy has commented on the situation in Avdiyivka, which Russian troops are trying to capture.
"We value every piece of our land... And whether it is Bakhmut or Avdiyivka, we will defend it as long as we have the strength. If we do not have enough forces and see that it is better to save people, of course, we will make such a decision and save people, and then recapture the area. Everything will depend on the situation," Zaluzhnyy said.
He also called on politicians and journalists "not to make a show" out of crisis situations.
"There is no need to get hung up on making a show or mourning near a particular settlement. The conduct of combat operations is subject to its own laws, which do not depend on whether commanders, politicians or journalists like it or not," he pointed out.
Zaluzhnyy also noted that the law on mobilisation is currently being discussed to ensure justice.
"Everyone has to defend Ukraine. Not only those who got to the military commissariat and then to the military unit in 2022-2023. Unfortunately, the war continues," he added.