Peskov said that all the previous goals of the special operation remain in force

All previous goals of the special operation in Ukraine, announced by President Vladimir Putin, remain in force, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the head of state.

“The Supreme Commander-in-Chief did not talk about new goals. All previous goals remain on the agenda,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

The special military operation began on 24 February. 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, and on October 19 martial law was introduced in the regions.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that the special operation in Ukraine will be completed “after the completion of all tasks.” At the end of May, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said that Moscow “is not chasing deadlines” in carrying out the tasks of the special operation.

In December 2022 Peskov declaredthat the purpose of the special operation is not the annexation of new territories to Russia, but there is still a lot of work ahead to liberate the occupied territories. In November of the same year, the press secretary emphasizedthat the change of power in Kyiv is also not the goal of the SVO.