Russia is at war – Kommersant

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the conflict with Ukraine began as a special operation. However, now, due to Western intervention, Russia finds itself in a state of war. He also emphasized that Russia cannot allow the existence of a country near its borders that seeks to take away territory from it.

“We are at war. Yes, it began as a special military operation, but as soon as this group was formed there, when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, for us it already became a war. I am convinced of this. And everyone should understand this for their internal mobilization,” Mr. Peskov said in an interview with the newspaper “Arguments and Facts”.

Mr. Peskov explained that Russia cannot allow the existence of a state on its borders that has “documented its intention to use any methods” to take away Crimea and the territories of new regions.

According to Dmitry Peskov, it is now important to protect the residents of new regions and “liberate the territory of these subjects, which is currently de facto occupied by the Kyiv regime.” He said that Russia will act in such a way that “Ukraine’s military potential cannot threaten the security of its citizens and its territory.”

Recently, the Belgorod region has been subjected to intense shelling. President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with trusted officials, said that in the situation with shelling in the Belgorod region, the primary task is to ensure security. Immediately after his re-election, he again allowed the creation of a “sanitary zone” – he first mentioned such a possibility back in 2023.

How front-line Belgorod lives – in the material “Shells are already like an alarm clock in the morning”.