“Freed step by step”
Putin defends to capture Donbass

08/15/2022, 6:35pm

In February, Putin recognized the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. At a military forum near Moscow, he is now reaffirming his plans to completely occupy the Donbass in front of international guests.

Nearly six months after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed the goal of taking over the Donbass completely. Russian soldiers are fulfilling their duties in the “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics,” the Kremlin chief told international guests at a military forum near Moscow in the Patriot park. While Ukraine accuses Russia of the most serious war crimes and bloody policies of occupation, Putin once again claims that “the land of the Donbass is being liberated step by step” from Ukrainian nationalists.

In February, Putin recognized the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states against international protests and started a war. The forum also featured a weapons show with tanks and missiles, in which Russia advertised its arsenal.

“Modern Weapons That Work for Victory”

According to a daily report from the Moscow Defense Ministry on the massive shelling on Ukrainian territory with rockets and artillery, in his speech Putin praised the work of Russian arms companies in equipping the army and navy with “modern weapons that are now working for victory”. . Referring to guests from 70 countries, according to official figures, the head of the Kremlin said that Russia has partners on many continents who have shown courage and character without bowing to the United States.

Meanwhile, Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport stressed that western sanctions do not affect exports of military technology. By the end of 2023, five units of the Russian S-400 missile defense system will be delivered to India in accordance with the supply contract, said Rosoboronexport boss Alexander Michelejew. However, the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev, acknowledged that “in connection with political events” several logistical problems have been identified.

On February 24, Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine to wrest the territory from Kiev’s control. For its defense, Ukraine relies primarily on shipments of heavy weapons from the West. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was confident his country would win.