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Putin Justifies Ukraine Invasion Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks

Putin reiterates his justification for the Ukraine invasion, claiming to protect Russian speakers from a “neo-Nazi dictatorship,” as Russia launches extensive drone and missile strikes across Ukraine.
2024-09-30
Putin Justifies Ukraine Invasion Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his rationale for deploying military forces into Ukraine, claiming it is necessary to protect Russian speakers from a "neo-Nazi dictatorship." His comments come as Russia launched a series of drone and missile attacks across various regions of Ukraine.

 

In a video message marking the second anniversary of what Russia refers to as “Reunification Day,” the day it annexed four Ukrainian regions, Putin declared that all objectives set by Moscow in the ongoing conflict, now in its third year, would be “achieved.” He proclaimed, “The truth is on our side,” asserting that the Russian people are defending a secure and prosperous future for the next generations.

 

Putin accused the Ukrainian government of attempting to sever ties with Russian speakers and condemned what he termed a “neo-Nazi dictatorship” in Kyiv. These allegations have been widely rejected by the Ukrainian government and its allies, who view them as unfounded justifications for Russia's aggressive military actions.

 

During his address, Putin criticized “Western elites” for allegedly turning Ukraine into a colony and a military outpost aimed at Russia, claiming they instilled hatred and radical nationalism against everything Russian. He accused Western countries of supplying weapons and mercenaries to prepare Ukraine for renewed military operations similar to those seen in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

 

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has sought to control additional territories, having proclaimed the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia following referendums deemed illegal by Ukraine and the West. Despite claiming these regions, Russia does not fully control all areas within them. Putin has emphasized that Russia will continue its military operations until Ukraine achieves “demilitarisation,” “denazification,” and neutrality.

 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported on Monday that Russia had launched a significant drone attack on Kyiv overnight, activating air raid sirens for five hours. According to the Kyiv military administration, all attacking drones were repelled. However, drone debris fell near a residential building, with emergency services responding to the scene; preliminary reports indicated no casualties.

 

The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that a total of 73 drones and various missiles, including an Iskander ballistic missile, were launched by Russia overnight. Of these, 67 drones and a cruise missile were intercepted across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, and others.

 

In the southern Mykolaiv region, a drone attack reportedly caused a fire at a critical infrastructure facility. Throughout September, Russia has intensified air attacks on Ukraine, targeting energy, military, and transport infrastructure, leading to civilian casualties.

 

While Russia claims that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target, it denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently called on Western nations to provide enhanced air defense systems to better protect Ukrainian cities from ongoing Russian assaults.