Ukraine: Vladimir Putin said Russian troops are liberating Donbas “step by step”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Russian troops and militias of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics are “step by step” liberating andl Donbassin the east of Ukraine.

“Today, during a special combat operation, our servicemen, together with fighters Donbass do your duty, fight for Russiafor peaceful life in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics,” the head of the Kremlin said at the opening of the military forum “Army-2022” near Moscow.

He emphasized that these forces “accurately carry out all the tasks assigned to them: step by step they liberate Donbass”.

“Our people are proud of their army and navy, the professionalism and courage of their defenders,” he added. Insertstressing that “they have always guarded the sovereignty and security of the Motherland and brought freedom to other peoples.”

Army 2022, the country’s most important arms exhibition, has representatives from over a hundred states attending this week to see hundreds of modern weapons at the Alabino training ground and Kubinka airfield. , on the outskirts of Moscow.

42 countries demand that Russia return the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant

A total of 42 countries and the European Union signed a declaration this weekend demanding an “immediate withdrawal” Russian troops the capture of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

“The deployment of Russian military personnel and weapons at a nuclear facility is unacceptable and violates the principles of security and safeguards for all members of the IAEA,” the statement, which was signed, including by Spain, with reference to the International Atomic Energy Organization, says.

These countries are calling for the “immediate withdrawal” of Russian military forces “and any other unauthorized personnel” from the Zaporozhye plant so that the Ukrainian authorities can resume their sovereign duties.