Peskov announced the achievement of “certain goals” for the year of the special operation

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine is “very difficult”, but in a year of its implementation, Moscow has achieved “certain goals”. Such a statement did Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov in an interview with the ATV channel.

“The President of Russia said that first it is necessary to ensure the safety of people living in the Donbass. Those people who for a long eight years lived under the shelling of their state. <...> In part, we have succeeded in completing this task, and in part, we are still far from its full implementation,” he said.

Peskov called the liberation of a “significant territory” in the Donbass another achievement of the special operation. He recalled that referendums were held in these territories, which resulted in the entry of four new regions into Russia. According to Peskov, “this is one of the key and very important results.”

In addition, the Kremlin spokesman continued, Russia managed to “pretty beat up the military machine of Ukraine.” He recalled that the demilitarization of Ukraine is another important goal of the special operation.

“Why has a year passed, and yet so much needs to be done? The special operation began as a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. <...> At that moment, it was hard to imagine that NATO members, the United States, European countries would first indirectly and then directly interfere in this conflict,” Peskov explained, adding that de facto NATO is a participant in the conflict “on the side of Ukraine.”

According to Peskov, Russian forces are “moving so slowly” because they are “not waging war” but trying to preserve infrastructure and human lives in Ukraine.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine has been going on since February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took full control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia. Since October 19 last year, martial law has been introduced in the regions.