Russia keeps 19,000 troops on Ukraine's northern borders - defense forces

Yurii Povkh, spokesperson for the joint press center of Ukraine's northern defense forces, said this on Ukrainian television, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"About 19,000 members of the contingent of Russian troops are concentrated near Russia's border with the Sumy and Chernihiv regions. This indicator has not changed for several months, so it is unnecessary to say that there are signs of the creation of any strike groups by the enemy. This is a contingent that can be characterized as border covering troops. It is not a strike force capable of breaking through the battle formations of our troops. Therefore, I say once again - this is not a sign of the creation of a strike group of troops," Povkh said.

According to him, the enemy is using barrel artillery, 120mm mortars, FPV drones and aircraft in this sector.

"At this time, we can say that the enemy is conducting harassing fire to a greater extent," Povkh said.

According to him, Ukrainian forces staying on the border are preventing the passage of the enemy's subversive groups.

"Control over the state border is permanent," Povkh said.