Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special operation in Donbass

The President pointed out that the Donetsk and Luhansk republics turned to Moscow for help.

“In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the DPR and LPR ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation”, - Putin said.

At the same time, he said that the occupation of Ukraine is not included in Russia's plans, but Moscow is striving for its demilitarization.

The President of the Russian Federation stressed that the purpose of the special operation would be “to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years”.

“To do this, we will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation”, - the head of state said.

Putin also added that Russia "cannot feel safe, develop, exist with a constant threat from Ukraine".

As for NATO, the president recalled unsuccessful attempts to conduct a dialogue with the alliance:

- Russia's attempts to agree on non-expansion of NATO proved futile, the situation with the expansion of the alliance is becoming more dangerous, we can no longer remain silent.

Putin called the policy of containment by the United States and its allies a threat to the Russian state.

Even the day before, Latvia claimed that Russian troops were already on the territory of Donbass. CNN sources told CNN that Moscow has deployed one or two battalion tactical groups, each with about 800 troops. At the same time, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin, said that so far there is no Russian army in the DPR.

Recall that on February 21, after a televised address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the LPR and DPR and cooperation agreements with these republics. And the next day, February 22, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation gave its consent to the use of the Russian Armed Forces outside the country in connection with the situation around Donbass. The vote was checked in connection with the appeal of the head of state to the upper house with a request to give such consent.

At the same time, Putin assured that this does not mean that troops will be sent to Donbas immediately.

Transcript of Vladimir Putin's address.