Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an address to the Russians, announced that Moscow had decided to launch a special military operation on the territory of Donbass.
The Russian leader stressed that the current circumstances require decisive and immediate action from the Russian Federation. Putin recalled that the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics turned to Moscow with a request for help.
“In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the DPR and LPR ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,” Putin said during a televised address on the morning of February 24, RIA Novosti reports.
The President noted that the plans of the Russian Federation do not include the occupation of Ukraine, but Moscow will strive for its demilitarization. Putin added that the main goal of Russia’s special operation is to protect people who “for eight years have been subjected to bullying, genocide by the Kiev regime.”
“To do this, we will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation,” the Russian leader summed up.