Defense Ministry, General Staff not planning to conduct military exercises in Kyiv on May 1

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is not planning to conduct military exercises in Kyiv in the early hours of May 1, the ministry's press service has reported.

"A statement posted today, on April 30, on the official Web portal of Kyiv City State Administration that special tactical exercises will be held in Kyiv has nothing to do with the activities of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," reads the report.

The ministry said that the personnel and combat vehicles of military units of the Kyiv garrison were at their permanent bases and that their deployment in the capital was not expected.

Earlier, the press service of the Kyiv city administration reported that special tactical exercises would be held in Kyiv early on May 1, adding that "columns of military vehicles will move in the city." The deployment of personnel and machinery is to be held in the city center.