Arseniy Yatsenyuk: A target of Russia is destabilization in Ukraine. Our task is preventive measures and protection of citizens

"Social, political and ideological destabilization is the task of Russia. Our objective is preventive measures and protection of citizens", urged Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk at a meeting of the State Commission for Emergencies on Tuesday, April 21.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that the Russian terrorists "will further fuel the situation": "It is clear that the Russian Federation does not abandon their plans to undermine the situation in Ukraine. They have changed the rhetoric, but they haven’t changed their actions. Hence, it is impossible to believe Russia and their terrorists under any circumstances".

"We should be ready to respond clearly, appropriately, as well as to ensure safety of citizens in the streets, to prevent terrorist attacks and bring to justice those perpetrating relevant criminal acts," he stressed.

The Head of Government reminded that to ensure preparation for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, previous week he instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine “together with the National Guard to reinforce patrolling in the cities and in the areas adjacent to the antiterrorist operation zone": "Primarily, it concerns Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kyiv and other cities, whereby the Interior Ministry also views as necessary to patrol by the National Guard the streets to ensure reinforced protection".

Moreover, he stressed in general all over Ukraine’s territory the Ministry of Interior should provide increased patrols and enhanced protection of public order.

According to the Prime Minister, a core thing is to take control over places of public gathering.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk informed that at its session on April 22, the Government of Ukraine is to approve an order regarding the plan of celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. He appealed to the heads of regional state administrations with a demand to clearly execute the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers and to prevent possible provocations.

The Prime Minister appealed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine to control that heads of the relevant regional offices raised public awareness about the security measures on the eve of May holidays: "Each area has to conduct meetings with all security agencies and, in particular with the security officers of large shopping centers and in places of public gathering."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk accentuated that peculiar attention should be paid to security, namely at airports, railroad facilities: "All the more since during the holidays the transport infrastructure might be object number one for terrorist attack".

"Russia "pours in" a fortune. They've still got certain terrorist networks in here, those trying to provoke a confrontation, including at the ideological level. Social, political and ideological destabilization is the task of Russia. objective is preventive measures and protection of citizens".

The Prime Minister appealed to Defence Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak: "An activity should be carried out to destroy all the terrorist organizations that Russia deployed ten years ago. To destroy the terrorist network is our joint work with the Ministry of Internal Affairs".