Territorial defense forces being created by military, not local authorities - minister

This was stated by Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry’s press service.

"I appeal to all heads of local governments and other elected officials. I urge you to refrain from actions and statements that politicize the setup of territorial defense. We are talking about the most important thing – our country’s protection. This is not a place for PR and manipulation. We must all work together for the interests of Ukraine, each within their powers – to strengthen defenses, not harming them by breaking the balance of the process. There is a clear vertical of the Territorial Defense Forces. It is formed by the military. Community leaders do not lead the process of shaping up the Territorial Defense Forces and they must act within their competence," said the defense chief.

The Ministry recalled that the Law "On the Fundamentals of National Resistance" stipulates that the functions of organizing and implementing territorial defense tasks lie with the Territorial Defense Forces as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while direct command of territorial defense shall be conducted by the Army Commander-in-Chief through the Territorial Defense Forces Commander

The stages and procedure for the creation and development of the Territorial Defense Forces shall be defined by the Army Commander-in-Chief. No structures established by local officials shall be part of the Territorial Defense Forces. Local state administrations do take part in creating territorial defense headquarters, while they shall not do so on their own, the report said.

"We are entering the practical stage of implementing the provisions of this fundamental law. And it is important that everyone understands where their competence begins and where it ends. There can be no ambiguity in defense matters. Therefore, the first and only thing that everyone must remember is that the creation of the Territorial Defense Forces as a separate powerful component of comprehensive defense within the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the exclusive competence and function of the military," Reznikov said.

He explained that the Army forms the structure of the Territorial Defense Forces, drafts plans, sets tasks, appoints commanders, and provides weapons. Meanwhile, city mayors and village chiefs, as well as local self-government bodies in general, contribute to ensuring the proper material base.

“Last week, the relevant government committee approved drafts of 14 Cabinet acts. After the government approves these decisions, which we expect will be done in the near future, the necessary basis will be created for the practical implementation of the law on the foundations of national resistance of January 1, 2022. There will be no pauses, so systematic work will be accelerated, where everyone should do their job," Reznikov concluded.

As reported earlier, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko held a meeting with deputy heads of the Kyiv City State Administration, heads of the Municipal Security Department, the capital's territorial defense brigade, the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office, the SBU, the Armed Forces Main Command, and the capital's police.

The meeting focused on the announcement that the capital was creating a territorial defense headquarters.

Kyiv's territorial defense system is set to be deployed in the near future. Also, territorial defense drills have been scheduled to be held in January.

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