Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas.
This is stated on the official website of the Kremlin.
Putin said that the national republics of Donbas had asked for help. “In this connection, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,” Putin said.
He added that Russia’s plans do not include the occupation of Ukraine, but Russia will strive for demilitarization of Ukraine.
“The purpose of the special operation is to protect the people who have been ridiculed and subjected to annihilation for 8 years by the Kiev regime. Therefore, we will seek the demilitarization and denationalization of Ukraine, as well as bring to justice those who committed many bloody crimes against civilians, including the Citizens of Russia,” Putin said.
According to him, Russia’s clash with nationalist forces in Ukraine is inevitable – it is only a matter of time. “They are going to wait for the right time. Now they claim to have nuclear weapons. We will not allow them to do that,” he said.
According to the Russian President, Russia cannot feel safe, develop, exist under constant threat from Ukraine, given that NATO’s takeover of Ukraine is unacceptable.
Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian military not to carry out criminal orders, immediately lay down their weapons and go home. At the same time, he stressed that all Ukrainian servicemen who comply with this requirement will be able to leave the war zone without hindrance and return home to their families.
