Russian Federation's President's Address
Long ago, these plans were formulated. Our borders were close to NATO's offensive infrastructure after they encouraged groups of international terrorists in the Caucasus. In addition to cultivating hatred for Russia for decades, mainly in Ukraine, they used indiscriminate Russophobia as a weapon. They turned the Ukrainian people into cannon fodder in 2014, pushing them into war with Russia. In Ukraine, a state coup led to the creation of a government that used the army against civilians and organised genocide, blockades, and terror against those who refused to recognize it.
As a result of Kiev regime public refusal to settle the Donbass issue peacefully and its announcement that it wished to possess nuclear weapons, it became clear that a new offensive in Donbass was inevitable. There had been two offensives before. And accompanied by a military attack on Crimea, that is, on Russia.
As a result, a preemptive military operation was essential and the only option available. Liberating Donbass remains the primary goal of this operation.
Nearly all traces of the Nazis have been removed from the Lugansk Peoples Republic. In Donetsk Peoples Republic, fighting continues. An echeloned line of permanent defenses was created by the Kiev occupation regime over the preceding eight years. There would have been heavy losses if they had been attacked head-on, which is why our units, along with the forces of the Donbass republics, are acting competently and systematically, using military equipment and saving lives, in order to eliminate Nazis, and help those the Kiev regime converted into hostages and human shields.
Special military operations are conducted by professional military personnel under contract. People of different ethnicities, professions, and ages fight side by side with them in volunteer units. Their hearts' call to defend Russia and Donbass spurred them to action.
For this purpose, I have directed the Government and the Defense Ministry to determine the legal status of volunteers and personnel of the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics. In terms of material, medical, and social benefits, it must be the same as the status of military professionals in the Russian army. For volunteer units and Donbass militia members, military and other equipment needs to be provided with special attention.