The demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine is a little overdue. The destruction of the country continues at a good pace. The Ukrainian people do not seem grateful and welcome the liberators with weapons in their hands

A view of a destroyed school in Kharkiv. [Sergey Bobok/AFP]

«In this context, in accordance with Article 51 (Chapter VII) of the UN Charter, with permission of Russia’s Federation Council, and in execution of the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, ratified by the Federal Assembly on February 22, I made a decision to carry out a special military operation. 

The purpose of this operation is to protect people who, for eight years now, have been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kiev regime. To this end, we will seek to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine, as well as bring to trial those who perpetrated numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation. 

It is not our plan to occupy the Ukrainian territory. We do not intend to impose anything on anyone by force.»

Vladimir Putin’s Televised Address on Ukraine, 24-02