Denys Shmyhal met with defenders and visited defense industry enterprises in Zaporizhzhia operational area

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, together with his deputies, Lieutenant General Yevhen Moisiuk and Oksana Ferchuk, met with service members during an official working visit to the Zaporizhzhia operational area.

“During our visit to the command posts of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade ‘Zakarpattia’ and the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade, and the command post of Operational Command ‘South’, we gained insight into the organization of the brigades’ units, their command and control system, and intelligence,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The Minister of Defence was briefed by the command on the current situation in the operational area of the Group of Forces ‘South’, the progress of assigned tasks, and the sustainment of units. He thanked the warriors for their courage and steadfastness in defending the homeland.

“Our warriors continue to successfully repel enemy assaults and capture russian service members. Particular attention was given to the employment of unmanned systems and to the most pressing issues in this operational area requiring urgent resolution. Following the discussions, we defined priority areas for further efforts to bolster the capabilities of our Defence Forces and improve the execution of combat missions,” added Denys Shmyhal.

The Minister of Defence and his deputies also visited industrial enterprises in the Zaporizhzhia region engaged in fulfilling the defense order.

Discussions covered further contracting, duplication of production facilities, and the construction of underground industrial sites to protect personnel, production, and finished products.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine thanked the employees for their work under extremely difficult conditions, amid constant russian missile and drone attacks.

Additionally, the Minister of Defence held a meeting with the leadership of the Security and Defence Forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.

He was briefed on the operational situation. Topics covered included enhancing the defense of the city and region, meeting urgent defense requirements, and coordinating air defense.

“Another topic is the innovations at the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TRSSCs), including body cameras and the implementation of an electronic queue system beginning September 1. Next on the agenda is improving the operation of the hotline,” added Denys Shmyhal.

He reminded that violations of the video recording rules are subject to disciplinary liability. This measure is intended to enhance the protection of the rights of both parties.

Also during his visit to the Zaporizhzhia region, the Minister of Defence personally assessed the work of the TRSSC Notification Group, which operated in coordination with the National Police. All personnel were equipped with body cameras and were recording the notification activities.

“I spoke with the TRSSC staff about the challenges and particularities of working under a direct threat from the russian enemy. All TRSSC personnel are our veterans who directly participated in combat operations to defend Ukraine. Most of them were wounded,” said Denys Shmyhal.