A message from the Russian President
The plans were devised years ago. Those countries encouraged international terrorists in the Caucasus and shifted NATO's offensive infrastructure to our borders. Russophobia was used indiscriminately as a weapon, including fostering hate for Russia for decades, primarily in Ukraine, which was designed as a bridgehead against Russia. They forced the Ukrainian people into a war with Russia in 2014 by making them cannon fodder. Military power was used against civilians, resulting in genocide, blockades, and terror against those who refused to recognize the government that was created in Ukraine after a coup.
In response to Kiev's public refusal to settle the Donbass issue peacefully and the fact that the Kiev regime was announcing nuclear weapons possession, so a new offensive in Donbass was inevitable, as there had already been two before, which would be followed by an attack on Russia's Crimea, that is, on Russia.
This made it necessary and the only option to begin a military operation before the situation got worse. It remains the main goal of the operation to liberate Donbass as a whole.
It has been almost completely liberated from the neo-Nazis in the Lugansk Peoples Republic. There has been fighting in the Donetsk Peoples Republic for several days. A series of permanent defences were developed over the previous eight years by the Kiev occupation regime. During a direct attack, heavy losses would have been sustained, which is why our units, along with the forces of the Donbass republics, are acting competently and systematically, using military equipment and saving lives, making small steps to eliminate the neo-Nazis, and help those the Kiev regime converted into hostages and human shields.
Under contract professionals are participating in the special military operation. The volunteers fighting alongside them are people of diverse professions, ages, and ethnicities who are true patriots. Russia and the Donbass were protected by these brave souls who answered the call of their hearts.
To determine the legal status of military units of Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics, I have already instructed the Government and Defence Ministry. All material, medical, and social benefits must be equal to those of military professionals in the Russian army. For volunteer units and Donbass peoples militias, it is critical to organize the supply of military and other equipment.