Russian Armed Forces’ High-Precision Weapons Attack Ukrainian Military Infrastructure

Russia’s armed forces attacked Ukrainian military infrastructure with high-precision weapons, using air-and sea-based cruise missiles, on Saturday, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Sunday, adding that no attacks on cities were conducted.

Over the past 24 hours, the grouping of troops of Luhansk People's Republic, with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces, carried out successful offensive operations and took  control over Novoakhtyrka, Smolyaninovo, Stanichno-Luhanskoe settlements. The depth of advance deep into the defence since the beginning of the offensive operation is 52 kilometers.

The grouping of troops of Donetsk People's Republic continued the offensive in the direction of Petrovskoe, advancing another 12 kilometers. Pavlopol and Pischevik were taken under control.

Over the past day, Kherson and Berdyansk cities were blocked by the Russian Armed Forces. Genichevsk city and Chernobaevka airfield near Kherson were also taken under control.

During the conduct of the special military operation, the process of mass refusal of Ukrainian military personnel to continue hostilities continues.

Yesterday, in the Kharkiv region, the 302nd anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, equipped with Buk M-1 air defence systems, voluntarily laid down their  arms and surrendered. 471 Ukrainian servicemen were detained. All Ukrainian servicemen are treated with respect and assistance. After filling in the documents, they will be sent to their families.

On February 26, from 4:00 pm to 4:20 pm, Ukrainian nationalists from the Azov Battalion attacked residential areas of Sartana settlement in Mariupol suburbs and at school No. 8 in Mariupol city with MLRS Grad. As a result, there is destruction of residential buildings and there are casualties among the civilian population. Russian Defence Ministry warned that Ukrainian nationalists were preparing such provocations.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation do not strike cities and towns, they take all measures to save the lives of civilians.

On February 26, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched another strike with long-range precision weapons using air- and sea-based cruise missiles against Ukraine's military infrastructure.

In total, the Russian Armed Forces hit 975 objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine.

Among them: 23 command posts and communication centres of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 3 radar posts, 31 S-300, Buk M-1 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, 48 radar stations.

Downed: 8 combat aircraft, 7 helicopters, 11 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2 Tochka-U tactical missiles.

223 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 28 aircraft (on the ground), 39 multiple rocket launchers, 86 field artillery mounts and mortars, 143 units of special military vehicles were destroyed.

Ramzan Kadyrov Wants Peace In Ukraine

Chechens, Russians and other peoples love Ukrainians and want peace, Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov said on Saturday.

"Dear Ukrainians, we love you and don't want war," he said.

Speaking about the military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, the leader of Chechnya asked the people of Ukraine to treat this forced measure related to Russia's security with understanding. At the same time, the main task of the Russian military is to avoid civilian casualties. "Every human life is priceless," Kadyrov stressed.

President Zelensky, in the opinion of the Head of Chechnya, must take steps towards the negotiation process.

'Fights Without Rules' FM Lavrov VS CNN's Chance

Exemplary incident occurred at a press conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday.

CNN Reporter Matthew Chance repeatedly tried to break into the air and ask the Russian minister a question, ignoring the rules of the event and his colleagues.

Lavrov scolded the journalist for the lack of elementary manners, while noting that this was probably a consequence of Matthew's long stay in Ukraine.

In the end, the poor fellow was given the floor.

"I am now in the capital of Ukraine. Recently, the outskirts of the city came under shelling. Does Russia plan to 'decapitate' the Ukrainian leadership and replace it with a pro-Russian one?" CNN reporter asked.

Irritated, Lavrov responded by recommending that the journalist, despite his "chaotic activity", read Putin's address, made the day before, in order to be aware of the Russian position on the special operation in Ukraine, which would avoid empty questions and save a lot of time for everyone.

"I realise that you have other things to worry about and would be hard pressed to read the statement describing Russia’s stance carefully. However, I encourage you to do so. Since you are in Ukraine, encourage your Ukrainian colleagues, primarily representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to read it," Lavrov noted.

According to top diplomat no one is going to attack the Ukrainian people, or to degrade Ukrainian servicemen. It is about not allowing neo-Nazis and those who promote genocidal methods to run that country. Currently, the Kiev regime is controlled by two external mechanisms: the US-led West and neo-Nazis who are promoting their “culture,” which is flourishing in modern Ukraine.

"I would like to ask you, a representative of the free media, a question: why, in all these past eight years, did no Western journalists regularly cover what was happening on the Ukrainian government-controlled western line of contact in Donbass? All the more so, if you are now that horrified by what is going on in Kiev. Has anyone from CNN ever been to Donbass? Have you seen schools being destroyed, or women carrying babies in their arms being killed? Have you seen carpet bombing of a children’s beach? Has anyone at all been there?" Lavrov stressed.

Russian Armed Forces Receive Order To Advance As Kiev Rejects Talks

The Russian Armed Forces were ordered to advance in all directions after Ukraine had refused to hold talks, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a briefing on Saturday.

"Today, all units were ordered to advance in all directions in accordance with the operation’s plan after Ukraine had refused to take part in the negotiation process," he noted.

According to Konashenkov, the forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR, LPR) continue to advance towards the positions of the Ukrainian army with the fire support of the Russian Armed Forces.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian territories and the goal was to demilitarize and denazify the country. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported later that the Russian Armed Forces were not delivering strikes against Ukrainian cities. The ministry emphasized that the Ukrainian military infrastructure was being destroyed by precision weapons and there was no threat to civilians.

Lavrov's 'Democracy Lesson' For NBC's Simmons

Russia cannot recognise a [Ukraine's current leadership] government that oppresses its own [Donbass] people and uses genocidal methods against them as democratic, said Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, answering a question from сorrespondent for NBC News Keir Simmons about the threat of a change in the "democratic regime of Volodymyr Zelensky" as a result of a Russian special operation in Ukraine.

"So that we are on the same page, please tell me where you stand when you cover current developments? Does democratic society, the values ​​of which you advocate so vehemently, agree with the efforts to ban the use of a language spoken by the majority of the population? Do democracies that you represent agree with the decision to ban education in the Russian language, or in any other language spoken by the people for that matter, from, say, grade 5? Or, to make illegal the use of one’s mother tongue in everyday life, including shopping, talking to people at hotels or other public places? Is it customary in a democratic society to refer to people in a certain part of the country, in this case Ukraine, as “subhuman” or as a “species,” as President Zelensky called them? At our talks today we recalled President Poroshenko’s promises after he had been democratically elected. He said that the portion of Ukraine under their control will have everything, including schools, kindergartens, food, leisure and prosperity, whereas those (he pointed to Donbass) will sit and rot in their holes," he noted.

President Vladimir Zelensky said something along these lines when he demanded that those who consider themselves part of Russian culture should get out of Ukraine.

Lavrov shows the selective principle of Western MSM when covering the events of recent years in Ukraine.

"In the West, everything is perceived solely through the lens of their own selfish interests. That is, when you are infringed upon in any way, you immediately begin to cause a ruckus about it, but when the linguistic, cultural and religious rights of millions of people in Ukraine are infringed upon, your emphasis shifts from human rights to the “democratic” nature of the local regime," he said.

Lavrov claims that the goal of Russia's military special operation in Ukraine was openly stated: demilitarization and denazification.

"This is because the never-ending torchlight processions, glorification of the Nazis, the cultivation of Nazi customs and habits in so-called volunteer battalions are taking place with tacit connivance, including from the media," he added.

Defence Ministry Reveals 821 Ukrainian Military Facilities Were Crippled By Russia’s Strikes

In total, the Russian Armed Forces hit 821 objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters reported on Saturday.

Among them: 14 military airfields, 19 control points and communication centers, 24 S-300 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, 48 radar stations.

Downed: 7 combat aircraft, 7 helicopters, 9 unmanned aerial vehicles.

87 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 28 multiple rocket launchers, 118 units of special military vehicles were destroyed.

The forces of the Russian Navy destroyed 8 military boats of the Ukrainian Navy.

Russian Armed Forces, expanded the areas of the breakthrough in the enemy's defence during the day and continue to develop the success of the offensive.

The grouping of troops of the Luhansk People's Republic advanced to a depth of 30 kilometers and captured the settlements of Bakhmutovka and Grechishkino.

Formations and military units of the Donetsk People's Republic, advancing in the direction of Novomayskoye, covered another 6 kilometers.

Nationalist battalions, retreating, blow up power substations and bridges across rivers behind them. The units of the Russian Armed Forces have established full control over the city of Melitopol. Russian servicemen are taking all measures to ensure the safety of civilians and exclude provocations by Ukrainian special services and nationalists.

During the night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation struck with high-precision long-range weapons using air- and sea-based cruise missiles at the objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine.

"I would like to emphasize once again that the fire is conducted only on the objects of the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, excluding damage to residential and social infrastructure. In total, the Russian Armed Forces hit 821 objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine," Konashenkov stated.

Lavrov 'Zelensky Lies When Declaring Readiness To Discuss Neutral Status Of Ukraine'

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is making false claims when he speaks of his willingness to discuss the neutral status of the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday at a press conference following talks with LPR Foreign Minister Vladislav Deinego and DPR First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Peresada.

"He is now just telling you lies, deceiving you in simple terms, when saying that he is willing to discuss the neutral status of [Ukraine]," Lavrov said.

Kremlin 'Kiev Suggests Holding Talks In Warsaw, Not Minsk, Then Cuts Off Communication'

The Ukrainian side in response to an idea to hold talks in Minsk, suggested Warsaw instead and then stopped communicating, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"After a brief pause, the Ukrainians stated that they were reconsidering the idea with Minsk and that now they wanted to go to Warsaw and after this cut off communication altogether, took a pause," the Kremlin official told journalists.

According to the Kremlin official, this pause "has been for a rather long time." That said, he emphasized that "unfortunately, this pause is accompanied by the fact that in [Ukraine’s] major cities, what the president was talking about at the Security Council [is happening], nationalist elements are deploying multiple launch rocket systems in residential quarters, including in Kiev." "We consider this situation extremely dangerous," he noted.

Putin’s press secretary stated that the Kremlin wanted to absolutely openly describe this situation.

At a special briefing for journalists, the Kremlin spokesman stressed that "it is very important to reconstruct the chain of events so that it would be clear." "We want to be transparent here to the utmost degree," he emphasized. The Kremlin official called the current situation "a very important story." He reiterated that earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made a statement on his readiness to discuss Ukraine’s neutral status. "This was one very important condition for the resolution of the crisis that President Vladimir Putin was talking about and that, essentially, was at the foundation of the goal that is being pursued during this special military operation," the Kremlin official noted.

He added that, considering this offer by Zelensky, Putin agreed to hold such talks in Minsk. "Putin immediately called [Belarusian] President [Alexander] Lukashenko and arranged for the Belarusian side to do everything in order to organize in the best way possible both the arrival of delegations and the guarantee of their security, this element is also very important now, and conditions to hold precisely these talks," the press secretary added. He also reported that at the president’s instructions, the Russian side immediately formed a delegation consisting of the representatives of the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the presidential administration. "All this information was conveyed to the Ukrainians," he said.

Kadyrov Advises Zelensky To Call Putin With Apology

Every family in the Chechen Republic is ready to accept refugees from Donbass, the head of the region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said today. He also advised President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to call the Russian president as soon as possible with an apology.

US's Javelin, UK's NLAW Anti Tank Missiles Became Trophies Of Russian Troops

During the hostilities, a large number of weapons delivered by Western countries to Ukraine over the past few months have been captured. American Javelin and British NLAW anti-tank missiles are among the trophies, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov reported Friday.

In total, the Russian Armed Forces disabled 211 military infrastructure facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Among them: 17 command posts and communication centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 19 S-300 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, 39 radar stations.

Shot down: 6 combat aircraft, 1 helicopter, 5 unmanned aerial vehicles.

67 tanks and other armored vehicles, 16 multiple rocket launchers, 87 units of special military vehicles were destroyed.

Groupings of troops of DPR and LPR continue offensive operation against units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with fire support from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Grouping of troops of Lugansk People's Republic advanced to a depth of up to 21 kilometers and captured Trekhizbenka settlement.

Formations and military units of Donetsk People's Republic, having broken through the prepared defence of the nationalist battalions, advanced up to 25 kilometers and reached Volnovakha.

Russian Armed Forces units blocked Sumy and Konotop cities and are taking measures to ensure the safety of the civilian population both in these cities and in the surrounding settlements.

Lavrov's Remarks After First Ever Talks With Top Diplomats Of DPR, LPR

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivers remarks following first ever talks with Foreign Minister of the LPR Vladislav Deynego and First Deputy Foreign Minister of the DPR Sergey Peresada on Friday.

On February 21, having considered requests by Donetsk and Lugansk, President Vladimir Putin resolved to recognise these two republics as sovereign and independent states. Corresponding executive orders were signed. Based on these executive orders, diplomatic relations were established between the Russian Federation and these two republics on February 22.

"Today, during the talks in this new capacity, we exchanged views on specific matters of interaction, including rather pressing issues such as steps to open embassies for the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic in Moscow and, accordingly, Russian diplomatic missions in Donetsk and Lugansk," Lavrov said.

Shoigu, Papikyan Discuss Prospects For Russian-Armenian Military Cooperation

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the military sphere in Moscow on Friday.

"Before we begin our main agenda on various issues of our military and military-technical cooperation and our joint work, I would like to thank you for your prompt and very important work during the aggravation of the situation in Kazakhstan, when you, as the chairman of the CSTO in our part of the Council of Defence Ministers of the CSTO member states, made difficult, but very prompt, important and necessary decisions that allowed quite energetically and very effectively to help our Kazakh colleagues resolve this situation," Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Also during the meeting, Sergei Shoigu welcomed Suren Papikyan, noting that this is his first visit to the Russian capital as the Minister of Defence of Armenia.

"I can assure you that I will do everything possible to further increase the Armenian-Russian defence cooperation," Papikyan stressed in his welcoming speech.

At the same time, the head of the Armenian military department noted that currently "there is no general reduction in tension, and every time we have to face new challenges and threats."

"It is obvious that it is possible to overcome all these challenges and threats facing our states by acting exclusively together," Papikyan said.

He noted that "in this context, the meeting at the level of the heads of defence departments of the allied states is of particular importance."

Putin Urges Ukrainian Military To Take Power Into Their Own Hands

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged on the Ukrainian military to take power into their own hands and not allow neo-Nazis and Benderites to use the people as human shields, durring  meeting of the Russian Security Council on Friday.

Russian Defense Ministry: Ukrainian Nazis Want To Use Kiev Residents As 'Human Shields'

Pentagon and CIA advisers taught the Ukrainian military leadership how to place rocket artillery systems in residential areas to provoke return fire on local residents, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov reported Friday.

"Use by the Kiev regime of residential areas to cover the firing positions of its artillery is a war crime," he added.

At present, reconnaissance data show that Grad multiple launch rocket system mounts have been deployed on Shevchenko Square in Kiev to strike at the Gostomel airfield.

The representative of the Russian Defense Ministry addressed the Ukrainian people.

"Your nationalist leadership uses the same methods as the terrorists. They want to use you as a human shield.

Russian Armed Forces will not inflict any strikes on residential areas of the Ukrainian capital," Konashenkov said.

"This is familiar to us. These techniques are actively used by terrorists supervised by the CIA in the Middle East and other countries," he added.

The units of the Lugansk People's Republic in the Severodonetsk direction rapidly advanced to a depth of 12 kilometers.

The grouping of troops of the Donetsk People's Republic in the direction of Volnovakha advanced 11 kilometers deep into the defence of the nationalist battalions.

Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not participate in hostilities for the most part. Only battalions of Ukrainian Nazis are resisting.

Moreover, in advance, the Security Service of Ukraine integrated into the military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces groups of notorious nationalists numbering 25-30 people who underwent special training.

Nationalists identify unreliable among Ukrainian servicemen. And if the commanders of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decide to withdraw from the occupied lines, they act as barrage detachments. In some directions, they blow up bridges to exclude the possibility of retreat of military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

More than one case has been recorded of lynching and reprisals by nationalists against who do not want to fight to intimidate the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian servicemen who laid down their arms say this.

At the moment, the units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have completed blocking Chernihiv city.

Russian servicemen are taking all measures to prevent casualties among the civilian population. On February 24, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a successful landing operation in the area of Gostomel airfield in the suburbs of Kiev.

More than 200 Russian helicopters were involved in the operation. The success of the landing was ensured by the suppression of the entire air defence system in the landing area, the complete isolation of the combat area from the air and active electronic warfare.

During the capture of the airfield, more than 200 nationalists from the special units of Ukraine were eliminated.

There are no casualties in the Russian Armed Forces.

At present, the main forces of the airborne troops have connected with the units of the Russian servicemen at the Gostomel airfield, blocking Kiev from the west.

Lavrov Says West Was Covering Up Crimes Of Kiev Regime That Led To Ukraine’s Tragedy

The West was silently encouraging the rise of neo-Nazism and Russophobia in Ukraine and covering up the crimes of the Kiev regime in Donbass, which in the end led to the country’s tragedy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said opening talks with Foreign Minister of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) Vladislav Deinego and First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Sergey Peresada on Friday.

"During this entire period, the population of your republics was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted. "All these years, our Western colleagues were consistently covering up for the Ukrainian regime, turning a blind eye to military crimes against civilians, to the murders of women, children, seniors, to the destruction of civilian infrastructure and silently encouraging the rapid rise of neo-Nazism and Russophobia which in the end led to the country’s tragedy. And, of course, the West fully supported the Kiev regime in its attempts to sabotage and finally destroy the Minsk Accords," he added.

Russian MoD Reports on Development of Situation In Ukraine

Groupings of troops of DPR and LPR continue counter-offensive operations against units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with fire support from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov announced Friday.

The grouping of troops of the Donetsk People's Republic in the Volnovakha direction, overcoming the stubborn resistance of the enemy, advanced one more kilometer deep into the defence of the nationalist battalions.

The grouping of troops of the Luhansk People's Republic in the Stepovoe area advanced to a depth of up to 9 kilometers.

During the hostilities, more than 150 servicemen of various power structures of Ukraine laid down their arms and surrendered.

In the area of Zmeiny Island, 82 Ukrainian servicemen laid down their arms and voluntarily surrendered to a unit of the Russian Armed Forces. At present, they are signing a refusal to participate in hostilities. In the near future they will be returned to their families.

Another 11 servicemen of the 53rd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered near Nikolaevsk settlement. Also, one of the units of the marines of the 36th separate marine brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine contacted the command of the people's militia of the DPR and requested a corridor to enter the territory of the republic. After laying down their weapons, they will also be able to return to their families.

After the stabilization of the situation in the combat area, all surrendered Ukrainian servicemen will be released home.

In the course of a special military operation, the Russian Armed Forces destroyed 118 military facilities of the military infrastructure of Ukraine.

Among them: 11 military airfields, 13 command posts and communication centres of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 14 S-300 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, 36 radar stations.

Shot down: 5 combat aircraft, 1 helicopter, 5 unmanned aerial vehicles.

18 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 7 multiple rocket launchers, 41 units of special military vehicles and 5 combat boats were destroyed.

Yesterday, February 24, units of the Russian Airborne Troops took full control of the territory in the area of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

An agreement was reached with the servicemen of a separate battalion of protection of the nuclear power plant of Ukraine on joint security of the power units and the sarcophagus of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

The radioactive background in the area of the nuclear power plant is normal. NPP personnel continue to maintain NPP facilities in the normal mode and monitor the radioactive situation.

The joint actions of Russian paratroopers and Ukrainian servicemen of the NPP security battalion to defend the plant is a guarantee that nationalist formations or other terrorist organizations will not be able to take advantage of the current situation in the country to organize a nuclear provocation.

Putin, Khan Discuss Main Aspects Of Russia-Pakistan Cooperation

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan, who is in Russia on a working visit.

The leaders of the two countries discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional topics, including developments in South Asia.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall.

Putin 'Russia Remains Part Of Global Economy, Does Not Plan To Damage It'

Russia remains part of the global economy, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with representatives of the country’s business circles on Thursday.

"Russia remains part of the global economy, and in this respect to the extent it remains this part, we do not plan to damage the system, which we feel we belong ourselves," he said. "We do not intend to damage the global economic system, which we belong ourselves," Putin added.

Russia’s western partners "should understand and not set themselves the task of squeezing us out of this system," he said, adding though that "those restrictions will be."

Russian MoD Reports On Latest Events Of Special Operation In Ukraine

In total, as a result of the strikes of the Russian Armed Forces, 83 ground objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine were put out of action, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Thursday.

"Since the beginning of the special military operation, two Su-27s, two Su-24s, one helicopter and four Bayraktar TB-2 attack unmanned aerial vehicles of the armed forces of Ukraine have been shot down," Russian general reported.

Groupings of troops of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics broke through the well-equipped echeloned defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, advanced 6-8 kilometers in depth. This was made possible thanks to the fire support of Russian artillery and army aviation. All the tasks assigned to the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day were successfully completed.

The joint use of raid detachments and airborne troops in the Crimean direction ensured the exit of Russian troops to the city of Kherson.

"This made it possible to unblock the North Crimean Canal and restore water supply to the Crimean peninsula," Konashenkov stated.

Russian MoD Reveals 74 Ukrainian Military Facilities Were Crippled By Russia’s Strikes

More than 70 ground infrastructure facilities belonging to Ukraine were incapacitated by strikes carried out by Russia’s Armed Forces, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Thursday.

"As a result of the strikes conducted by Russia’s Armed Forces, 74 ground facilities of Ukraine’s military infrastructure were knocked out of action. Among them are 11 airfields belonging to the Air Force, three command points, a Ukrainian Navy base and 18 radar stations of S-300 and Buk-M1 missile systems," Konashenkov specified.

According to him, a combat helicopter and four Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles were shot down.

He stressed that the strikes carried out by Russia’s Armed Forces are not targeting Ukrainian cities as well as social facilities in military garrisons.

Putin's Address To Nation Or 'How He Intends To Push NATO Away From Russia's Borders?'

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his address to the people on Thursday, told the Russian people, in connection with what threats to Russia and the republics of Donbass, a special operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine to demilitarize this brotherly country occupied by the neo-Nazi regime became necessary. At the same time, the Russian leader showed his Western "colleagues" what Russia's military-technical response to the rejection of Russia's legitimate demands for not expanding NATO to the East actually means.

Russian Troops Launch Special Military Operation To Defend Donbass Republics

The Russian troops began a special military operation to defend the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said on Thursday.

"In compliance with a decision by Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, the Russian troops launched a special military operation on February 24 to defend the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics," the spokesman said.

On the morning of February 24, after continued battles to repel the Ukrainian army’s aggression, the DPR and LPR people’s militias carried out mobilization and set up groups of forces on their territories, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Thursday morning that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported later on Thursday that Russian troops were not delivering strikes against Ukrainian cities. It emphasized that Ukrainian military infrastructure was being destroyed by precision weapons.

Civilians are not threatened, it assured.

Putin's Address To Russians In Connection With Events In Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin believes in the support of the Russian people in connection with the necessary special operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine.

"I believe in your support, in that invincible strength that our love for the Fatherland gives us," he said.

Well-being, the very existence of entire states and peoples, their success and viability always originate in the powerful root system of their culture and values, experience and traditions of their ancestors and, of course, directly depend on the ability to quickly adapt to a constantly changing life, on the cohesion of society, its readiness to consolidate, to gather together all the forces in order to move forward.

According to Putin, force is always needed, but force can be of different quality.

"The policy of the “empire of lies” [West] is primarily based on brute, straightforward force. But you and I know that the real strength is in justice and truth, which is on our side. And if this is so, then it is difficult to disagree with the fact that it is the strength and readiness to fight that underlie independence and sovereignty, are the necessary foundation on which you can only reliably build your future, build your home, your family, your homeland," he stated.

Putin Warns Against Attempts Of Foreign Interference In Ukrainian Events

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned against attempts at foreign intervention in the current developments, let alone foreign intervention.

"Nobody should feel any doubts that a direct attack on Russia would end with the potential aggressor’s defeat and terrible consequences for the attacker," he warned.

"Whoever may try to create obstructions to us, let alone pose threats to our country and our people, they should know that Russia’s response will follow without delay and entail consequences that you have never encountered in your history. We are prepared for any march of events. All necessary decisions in this connection will be made. I hope that I will be heard," Putin said.

Putin Urges Ukrainian Military To Immediately Lay Down Arms And Go Home

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the Ukrainian military to "lay down arms at once and leave for home.

"Those servicemen of the Ukrainian army who will meet this demand will be free to leave the zone of combat operations and return to their families." All responsibility for possible bloodshed "will rest upon entirely on Ukraine’s ruling regime."

Putin's Address To Ukrainians

Special operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are not connected with the desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. They are connected with the protection of Russia itself from those who took Ukraine hostage and are trying to use it against our country and its people, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in urgent address on Thursday.

"In 2014, Russia was obliged to protect the inhabitants of Crimea and Sevastopol from those whom you yourself call “Nazis”. Crimeans and Sevastopol residents made their choice to be with their historical homeland, with Russia, and we supported this. I repeat, we simply could not do otherwise," he said.

Russia's actions are self-defense against the threats posed to us and from an even greater disaster than what is happening today. 

"No matter how difficult it may be, I ask you to understand this and call for cooperation in order to turn this tragic page as soon as possible and move forward together, not to allow anyone to interfere in our affairs, in our relations, but to build them on our own, so that it creates the necessary conditions for overcoming all problems and, despite the presence of state borders, would strengthen us from the inside as a whole. I believe in this - in this is our future," Putin stated.

Putin Declares Beginning Of Military Operation In Ukraine

Russia has begun a military operation in Ukraine following a request from the authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics for assistance in repelling Kiev’s military aggression, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in urgent address on Thursday.

He said that Moscow would seek the "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine, called upon the Ukrainian army to lay down weapons and warned there would follow a prompt response to attempts at foreign intervention from outside.

After that there followed reports of sounds of explosions in a number of Ukrainian cities, including Kiev and Kharkov.

Putin 'Who Said That Good Should Not Be Able To Defend Itself?'

"First, I did not say our troops would enter [Donbass]right away, after our meeting here. That is first. Second, it is absolutely impossible to predict the detailed path of possible actions. It depends on the concrete situation that is unfolding on the ground, as they say.

Regarding the question if all issues can and must be resolved by force or if it is possible to remain on the side of good. Well, why do you think that good must always be frail and helpless? I do not think that is true. I think good means being able to defend oneself. We will proceed from that," Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference on Tuesday.

Putin, Erdogan Discuss Russia’s Move To Recognize DPR, LPR

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.

Vladimir Putin stressed the objective necessity to take that decision based on the Ukrainian authorities’ aggression in Donbass and their categorical refusal to implement the Minsk Agreements.

Recep Erdogan pointed out that Turkey will not recognize the steps that infringe on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The issues of working out long-term legally binding security guarantees for the Russian Federation were also discussed. In this context, Vladimir Putin expressed his disappointment with the US and NATO response which came down to an attempt to ignore Russia’s legitimate concerns and demands.

MFA 'Russia to Offer Strong, Measured and Sensitive Response to US Sanctions'

Moscow will offer a strong response to US sanctions, if not necessarily tit-for-tat, but a measured and sensitive one for Washington, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on new US anti-Russian sanctions on Wednesday.

"There should be no doubt - sanctions will be met with a strong response, not necessarily symmetrical, but measured and sensitive for the US side," the document says.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the package of sanctions declared by the US administration (already the 101th one), targeting the financial sector with the extension of the blacklist of individuals, subject to personal restrictions, is part and parcel of Washington’s endless attempts to change Russia’s policy.

"Despite clearly futile efforts made for many years with the goal of hindering our economic development, the US is again grasping the restrictions tools, which are ineffective and counterproductive in terms of US interests as well," the Foreign Ministry stressed.

According to the ministry, Russia proved that despite all sanctions it is capable of reducing the damage. "And moreover, the sanctions pressure cannot affect our determination to strongly defend our interests," the statement reads.

Washington, which is under the sway of unipolar world stereotypes with false convictions that the US still has the right and can impose its own rules of the world order on everyone, has no other means in its foreign policy arsenals than blackmail, intimidation and threats. "This isn’t working in regard to world powers, namely Russia and other key international actors," the Foreign Ministry stated. "’Slapdowns’ from the US should be followed by their satellites and clients who completely lost their autonomy."

Meanwhile, the ministry noted that Russia is "open to diplomacy based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and the consideration for each other’s interests."

Putin 'Ukraine's Nuclear Ambitions Are Unacceptable To Russia'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described as unacceptable the beefing up of Ukraine’s military potential, in particular, in the light of Kiev’s "nuclear ambitions."

As he commented on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s remarks he did not like the Minsk agreements, Putin said that in this way it might be possible to walk out of any other agreements, for instance, Kiev’s hypothetical pledge not to join NATO, although in this way the country’s authorities "would have in fact implemented the idea of neutrality."

"He [Zelensky] would resettle to Washington, Paris or Berlin, while we would have a heavily armed ‘anti-Russia’ next door. This is absolutely unacceptable, in particular, now, that Ukraine’s current leadership has declared its nuclear ambitions," Putin told a news conference on Tuesday.

Lavrov Says UN's Guterres Made Statements On Ukraine Incompatible With His Status

Secretary General Antonio Guterres made several statements on the situation in eastern Ukraine that are not compatible with his status, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, opening talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Wednesday.

"To our great regret, the UN Secretary General whom you are representing turned out to be susceptible to pressure by the West and recently made several statements incompatible with his status and his authority under the UN Charter," he said.

The Russian top diplomat noted that Moscow conveyed to Guterres its assessment of his statements. According to Lavrov, the UN Secretary General has never expressed support for the necessity to implement the Minsk Accords and the UN Security Council resolution on the same matter.

"With regards to the situation in Ukraine, the [UN] secretary general has not raised his voice even once to support the necessity of complying with the requirements of the Minsk Package of Measures and Resolution 2202 of the [UN] Security Council which directly demand to resolve all issues by coordination between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. Nobody mentioned this in the West. And, unfortunately, the secretary general followed this sad example," the Russian foreign minister said.

Earlier, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres made a number of statements with regards to the situation in eastern Ukraine, criticizing the recognition of the DPR and LPR by Russia as well as asserting that he wouldn’t consider Russian servicemen in Donbass as peacekeepers.

Putin Congratulates Russia's Warriors On Defender Of Fatherland Day

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a video address to congratulate veterans, the military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and all citizens of Russia on this holiday.

"Patriotism and the unity of our nation, the exploits of its devoted sons and daughters have always been the foundation of the martial history of our thousand-year-old country, its glory and victories. We are proud of the many generations of its defenders: the guards of Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy, the warriors of Minin and Pozharsky and the heroes of Poltava and Borodino, Stalingrad and the unstoppable assault on Berlin, all those who brought glory to our Fatherland according to the great traditions of our ancestors," he said.

Putin expressed his sincere, heartfelt gratitude to the few veterans of the Great Patriotic War who remained with us.

"We will always remember that you, the valiant generation of victors, crushed Nazism and saved our country and the entire world from this barbaric, merciless force. Your feat is a summit of human history, a great example for all those who are serving today in the Army and the Navy, and protecting Russia from external threats on land, in air and at sea," he said.

Ensuring that Russia can defend itself remains a primary responsibility of government, and the Armed Forces serve as a reliable guarantee of our national security, the peaceful and orderly lives of our people and Russia’s stable and steady development.

Russia is always open to a direct and honest dialogue and ready to search for diplomatic solutions to the most complicated issues.

"But I want to repeat that Russia’s interests and the security of our people are an indisputable priority. So, we will continue to strengthen and modernise our Army and Navy, striving to increase their effectiveness, so they are fitted out with the most cutting-edge equipment," Putin noted.

The President noted that Russia have weapons that are second to none in the world and they are operational. Russia will continue to develop promising weapon systems, including hypersonic weapons and those based on new physical principles, and expand the use of advanced digital technology and elements of artificial intelligence. Complexes like these are weapons of the future, which can boost the potential of our Armed Forces several-fold.

Lavrov 'Ukraine's Zelensky Unbalanced, UN/US Thomas-Greenfield's Сrazy Rhetorical Stunts'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky an "unstable and dependent man," adding that any steps could be expected from him, including those aimed at escalation of Russian-Ukrainian relations.

"I’ve read what he said there [in his video address to Ukrainian citizens]. Everything could be expected from him. This is an unstable, dependent man, directly dependent on his American curators," the Minister said in an interview for Rossiya-1 TV channel, answering a question about Kiev’s readiness for steps on escalation of tensions.

He added that he "read with bewilderment the statement" of US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield regarding Ukraine’s potential reception of nuclear weapons.

"Judging by the sense of this statement, Ukraine may obtain nuclear weapons, should it desire to. Our Western colleagues build all their rhetoric outbursts solely in order to fuel this confrontation," the Minister underscored.

Lavrov noted that the West does not try to find ways for de-escalation of tensions it itself creates, but tries to "destabilize the Russian Federation in every way possible" and slow down its development, as Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his February 21 address."This is regrettable," Lavrov concluded.

Putin Exposes 'Killer of Minsk Accords'

The Minsk Package of Measures were killed not by Russia and not by the representatives of Donbass republics, but by the current Kiev authorities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"As it was said yesterday during the Security Council meeting, over all these years, the efforts of the current Kiev authorities reduced it all to naught. So, the Minsk agreements were dead long before yesterday’s recognition of the people’s republics of Donbass," he said.

According to Punin, yesterday's event – the recognition of these republics – was dictated precisely by the fact that the Ukrainian leadership had publicly declared that they were not going to abide by these agreements. Not going to abide by them. "Well, what else can you say to that? The top officials have publicly said so."

The President also noted the inaction and impotence of the EU representatives, who were the guarantors of the Package of Measures.

"When we spoke to our European colleagues, they all said the same thing: 'Yes, this is the way forward,' but in reality they were unable to force their partners in the current leadership in Kiev to do so. So, we were compelled to take this decision and, in this sense, indeed, the Minsk agreements do not exist anymore. Why abide by them if we have recognised the independence of these entities?" he stressed.

Putin Confirms Russia to Provide Military Aid to Donbass Republics

Russia will provide military aid to Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed, answering questions from journalists.

"About the use of armed forces abroad. Well, how else, of course, we did sign treaties yesterday after all; and, in these treaties with Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic, there are corresponding clauses that stipulate that we will provide corresponding aid, including military one," Putin said.

He added that, since there is a conflict going on in Donbass, the Russia’s decision "made it clear that Russian intends to fulfill its obligations if necessary."

Lavrov Responds to UN Secretariat's Reaction on Recognition of Donbass Republics

Russia hopes that the UN Secretariat, before making any statements regarding Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, will rely on the organization’s basic principles, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel on Tuesday.

"It is my strong wish to see the UN Secretariat’s leadership, in making some statements, adhere to the basic principles the organization rests upon in accordance with the decisions made by the member-states.

"Our colleagues at the UN Secretariat apparently must abide by the decisions adopted by that organization - decisions that are crucial to the implementation of the UN Charter’s principles and goals and decisions that were made unanimously on the basis of consensus, in other words, by all UN member-states without an exception," Lavrov said.

Earlier, the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that Antonio Guterres was very concerned about Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of the DPR and LPR. He said that Guterres saw Russia’s decision as a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty failing to meet the principles of the UN Charter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 21 declared that Russia recognized the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics. Treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed with their leaders. Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to establish diplomatic relations with Donetsk and Lugansk and asked the Defense Ministry to maintain peace in their territories.

Does Putin Want To Restore Borders of Russian Empire?

Russian President Vladimir Putin debunked speculations that Moscow allegedly intends to restore itself within the Russian Empire borders.

"Of course, I would use the occasion of your visit in order to inform you about what is going on at the Ukrainian direction," he said during the talks with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. "You know that Russia made a decision yesterday to recognize the sovereignty of two Donbass People’s Republics. I would like to say it right here: we see and we anticipated speculations on this issue that Russia wants to restore the Empire within the Empire’s borders. This is totally false."

Putin underscored that, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia recognized all new geopolitical realities, and works on strengthening its cooperation with all countries, independent states that emerged on the post-Soviet territory.

"Even in very tense situation, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, for example, we have always acted very carefully, considering interests of all states involved in this process, and we have always sought to achieve mutually acceptable solutions," he said.

Putin 'Russia Ready to Show What True De Communization Means for Ukraine'

If Ukraine created by the Bolsheviks wants genuine de-communization, this will suit Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

"Now grateful descendants have demolished monuments to Lenin in Ukraine. This is what they call de-communization. Do you want de-communization? Well, this quite suits us. But you must not stop halfway. We are ready to show you what genuine de-communization means for Ukraine," Putin said in his address to the nation over the situation in Ukraine’s southeast.

Putin 'Modern Ukraine Was Entirely Created by Russia'

Modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia or, to be more precise, by Bolshevik, Communist Russia, Vladimir Putin said in his historic address on recognition of Donbass on Monday.

This process started practically right after the 1917 revolution, and Lenin and his associates did it in a way that was extremely harsh on Russia – by separating, severing what is historically Russian land. Nobody asked the millions of people living there what they thought," he added.

Putin continued his historical excursion with a description of events both before and after the Great Patriotic War.

"Stalin incorporated in the USSR and transferred to Ukraine some lands that previously belonged to Poland, Romania and Hungary. In the process, he gave Poland part of what was traditionally German land as compensation, and in 1954, Khrushchev took Crimea away from Russia for some reason and also gave it to Ukraine. In effect, this is how the territory of modern Ukraine was formed," he noted.