MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. The special military operation by the forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) and the Russian troops in Ukraine is proceeding ahead of schedule, DPR Head Denis Pushilin said in a live broadcast on the Soloviev-Live YouTube Channel on Tuesday.

"Considering all the components, the pace is fairly high and we are proceeding somewhere even ahead of schedule," he said.

"The plans stipulated somewhat different dates, so to speak, considering that we were aware of what we would be confronted with. Do you remember the infamous Shirokino? Listen, they built so strong fortifications there. Neither artillery nor missiles helped. Helicopters could not help and it was really hard to break through this defense but our boys coped with the task," Pushilin said.

The situation at the line of engagement in Donbass escalated on the morning of February 17. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) reported the most massive bombardments by the Ukrainian military over past months, which damaged civilian infrastructure and caused civilian casualties.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced recognizing the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Russia signed agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders.

President Putin said in a televised address on the morning of February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories and the operation was aimed at demilitarizing and denazifying Ukraine.