OREANDA-NEWS   The coming year will be decisive in the conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in a video message published on the official website of the Ukrainian leader.

"We continue to train the defense and security forces until next year. This should be a crucial year. We understand what risks there are in winter, we understand what we have to do in spring, which means we understand what results the entire defense and security sector should demonstrate," he stressed.

In addition, the Ukrainian leader pointed to the tense situation for the AFU in the areas of Artemovsk and Kremennaya.Artemovsk is located on the Kiev-controlled part of the DPR to the north of the large city of Gorlovka, is an important transport hub for the supply of Ukrainian troops in the Donbass. A network of roads and railways runs through this city. Fierce battles are taking place outside the city.

Since February 24, Russia has been conducting a special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine. Vladimir Putin called its goal "the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Armed Forces face the task of liberating Donbass and guaranteeing Russia's security.