MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russia’s special military operation was launched in order to protect people, ensure the country’s security and eliminate the threat emanating from the Ukrainian neo-Nazi regime, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his Address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.
"A year ago, in order to protect the people on our historic soil, to ensure our country’s security and to eliminate the threat that was emanating from the neo-Nazi regime which took shape in Ukraine following the 2014 state coup, it was decided to hold the special military operation," the Russian leader said.
He stressed that Russia will "step by step, carefully and gradually" fulfill the tasks of the special military operation.
The Russian president also reiterated that since 2014, Donbass has been fighting for the right to live on its own land and speak its native language. "[Donbass] was fighting and didn’t give up under conditions of a blockade and constant shelling, unconcealed hatred on the part of the Kiev regime, but had faith and waited for Russia to come to the rescue," Putin stated.