Ihor Klymenko: We are strongly determined to defend the State

Our strong determination is to defend the State. This was emphasized by Acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko on February 6 during a meeting with a Czech delegation headed by Director General of the Europe Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jaroslav Kurfürst.

Ihor Klymenko thanked for the strong and consistent support of the Government and people of the Czech Republic in a difficult time for Ukraine. The Acting Minister expressed special gratitude for providing shelter to Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes and country due to the russian invasion.

Representatives of the Czech delegation were informed in detail about the process of formation of assault brigades, the Offensive Guard, within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, which should strengthen the State Defense Forces in an effort to liberate the occupied territories of Ukraine. These are 8 assault brigades of the National Guard, the National Police, and the State Border Guard Service, which are to be deployed by April 1.

“We are strongly determined to defend the State. As of today, the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine make up about a quarter of the national Defense Forces. A decision has been made to create additional brigades, and the process of forming them has already begun. Since the start of the information campaign, we have received more than 3,000 inquiries about the conditions of recruitment, service, and financial allowances. I would like to emphasize that these brigades are formed exclusively from volunteers – military and police officers with combat experience.”

Ihor Klymenko spoke specifically about the needs of the newly formed brigades. The parties also discussed the challenges faced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the context of the large-scale humanitarian demining of territories, protection of the State’s critical infrastructure, etc.

The head of the Czech delegation, Jaroslav Kurfürst, assured of the Czech Republic’s intention to develop bilateral cooperation by continuing to assist Ukrainians and participating in the further reconstruction of Ukraine.