Russian Federation's President's Address
These plans were devised many years ago. Throughout the Caucasus, they encouraged the activities of international terrorist groups as well as moved NATO's offensive infrastructure close to our borders. Russophobia was used indiscriminately, including nurturing hatred of Russia for decades, specifically in Ukraine, intended as a bridgehead against the Russians. In 2014, they used the Ukrainian people as cannon fodder in their war with Russia. Their actions included genocide, blockade, and terror against civilians who refused to recognize the state coup-created government in Ukraine.
As a result of Kiev's public refusal to settle Donbass peacefully and its announcement that it was planning to acquire nuclear weapons, it became clear that a new offensive in Donbass, where there were two before, was inevitable, and that an attack on Russia's Crimea would inevitably follow, that is, on Russia.
The decision to initiate a preemptive military operation was the only possible option in this regard. It remains the main objective of this operation to liberate the whole of Donbass.
Nearly all traces of the Nazis have been removed from the Lugansk Peoples Republic. There is still fighting in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. A deeply echeloned line of permanent defence grew up under the Kiev occupation regime over the past eight years. It would have been devastating to attack them head-on, which is why our units, as well as the Donbass republics' forces, are acting competently and systematically, using military equipment and saving lives, making progress steadily to eliminate neo-Nazis, and help those Kiev turned into human shields.
In the special military operation, professional military personnel are serving under contract. Aside from them are volunteer units comprised of people of different ethnicities, professions, and ages who are true patriots. They defended Russia and Donbass in response to their hearts' call.
The Government and the Defence Ministry have already received instructions to determine the legal status of the volunteers and personnel of Russian military units in Donetsk and Lugansk. All material, medical, and social benefits must be the same as those enjoyed by military professionals of the Russian army. Volunteer units and Donbass peoples militia need access to military and other equipment.