ATO/JFO participants backbone of Ukrainian army - Nayev

Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasized this, Ukrinform reported citing the Joint Forces Command on Telegram.

"Today, it is impossible to overestimate the importance and significance of servicemen who gained combat experience during the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation, and who continue to defend our homeland today. They are the backbone of our army," Nayev said.

For example, most officers participating in the ATO and JFO were in the operational reserve and therefore knew the algorithm of their actions in case of war. Thanks to them, it was possible, in particular, to deploy troops on the enemy's offensive directions in a timely and efficient manner.

"In accordance with the development of the operational situation along the entire defense line, most of these experienced officers were repeatedly moved to positions to maximize their effective use in the Ukrainian defense forces as the most experienced and those who can lead the personnel," the commander added.

According to him, fighting spirit, high moral and leadership qualities, a developed sense of responsibility and a realistic assessment of the threats that exist today and may arise in the future are what distinguish experienced officers.

According to Nayev, these are the qualities that allowed the military who served in the ATO and JFO to pass on their combat experience to thousands of reserve and reserve officers who took up arms and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Russian Federation refuses to release Ukrainian military and civilians captured during the ATO/JFO in 2014-2022.