Fighting in Ukraine began in 2014 in the east of the country. This was stated at a meeting of the UN Security Council by Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenča.
“The armed conflict in Ukraine did not begin on 24 February 2022, but has been ongoing in the east of the country since 2014,” said Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenča.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that the fighting between Moscow and Kiev was instigated by the 2014 coup d’état in Ukraine. Civilians in Donbass were subsequently attacked with artillery and aircraft.
“From the Russian side it would be criminal carelessness not to show concern,” – emphasised Vladimir Putin.
Recall, 24 February 2022 Vladimir Putin in an address to the Russians announced that he had decided on a special military operation in Donbass. Its purpose the Russian leader called the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine. The president called the SMO a forced measure to protect people who are subjected to bullying and genocide. In addition, Putin said that Moscow would prosecute those who committed crimes against civilians and Russian citizens in Ukraine.