MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. The Russian army is systematically implementing the plan for the liberation of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the Defense Ministry’s board meeting on Tuesday.

"In the course of the special military operation the Russian army is coping with its tasks the supreme commander-in-chief identified. The plan for the liberation of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics is being implemented systematically and measures are being taken to restore life to normal," he said.

Shoigu stressed that the Russian military personnel involved in the operation displayed courage and heroism in performing their duty. He pointed out that Russia provided reliable guarantees of its citizens’ safety and that the events of the past few months demonstrated clearly the importance of further efforts to enhance the potential of the armed forces.