Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to discuss the situation in Ukraine in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, the Kremlin press service reported.

“Discussions on the development of the situation in Ukraine have continued. Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s basic approaches in the context of conducting a special military operation to protect the people of Donbas, to explain in detail its goals and objectives, which will be implemented,” the statement said.

It is noted that Scholz “expressed concern over reports of active military operations, casualties among civilians, and causalities among the military of the parties to the conflict.”

“In this regard, Vladimir Putin reminded that for eight years, Western partners have turned a blind eye to the genocide committed by the Kiev regime against the people of the Donbas Republic, killing about 14,000 people, including thousands of children.

“During the special operation, the Russian military are taking all possible measures to save the lives of civilians, and the information stuff about the alleged shelling of other major cities in Kiev is a gross propaganda hoax,” the statement said.

It should be reminded that in the early morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a message announcing the decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas.

“Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action. The Donbass People’s Republics have appealed to Russia. I have decided to launch a special military operation in this regard,” Putin said in a televised address to Russian citizens.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that from 5:00 a.m. (7:00 a.m. Yerevan time) on Thursday, the Russian Armed Forces carried out intensive attacks on Ukrainian military facilities and airports.

The Verkhovna Rada has declared martial law in Ukraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announces the preliminary number of victims and wounded.