President of the Russian Federation's address
These plans were conceived years ago. NATO moved its offensive infrastructure close to our borders and encouraged international terrorist groups in the Caucasus. 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. Ukrainians were made into cannon fodder and pushed into a war with Russia in 2014 by the Ukrainian government. 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 obvious that a new offensive in Donbass was inevitable, as there had been two before, and it would be followed inevitably by an attack on Russia's Crimea, that is, on Russia.
Hence, preemptive military action was the only option and was necessary in these circumstances. It remains the main objective of this operation to liberate the whole of Donbass.
Nearly all Nazis have been defeated in the Lugansk People's Republic. There is continuing fighting in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. Ukraine's occupation regime built a deeply layered system of permanent defenses over the past eight years. In a head-on attack, heavy losses would have resulted, which is why our units, as well as the Donbass republics' forces, are acting competently and systematically, using military equipment and saving lives, advancing to eradicate the Nazis, and help those Kiev turned into human shields.
A special military operation is being conducted by contract professional military personnel. Volunteer units whose members are of different races, professions, and ages fight together with them. Their hearts' call to defend Russia and Donbass spurred them to action.
To determine the legal status of military units of Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics, I have already instructed the Government and Defence Ministry. As such, material, medical, and social benefits must be the same as those granted to Russian military professionals. Military and other equipment must be organized for volunteer units and the Donbass people's militia.