Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has said 29 Russian battalion tactical groups (BTGs) have been identified near the Ukraine-Russia border on the eve of the second round of Ukraine’s presidential election scheduled for April 21.
“Before the first round of the presidential elections began in Ukraine, we spotted another BTG near the border, now there are 29 of them. At the same time, we control the situation and monitor the preparation and movement of Russian armed forces. Of course, we are preparing for a possible adequate armed response to protect our territory and our people,” Poltorak said on April 17 while visiting a military garrison in Lviv, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said.
Poltorak said the Russia-occupation forces in eastern Ukraine have been more active and have adopted new tactics.
“Now the enemy has switched to the tactics of using prohibited weapons, in parallel with the involvement of sabotage and reconnaissance groups. That is, during the mortar shelling, especially using 120mm caliber guns, sabotage groups are simultaneously operating, tasked with reconnaissance and destroying our military units,” Poltorak said.
