The Russian army will continue a special military operation in Ukraine until the achievement of its goals.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergei Shoigu.
"The grouping of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to conduct a special military operation until the set goals are achieved," Shoigu said on a conference call.
Protecting Russia from the military threat from the West is the main task of the special operation in Ukraine, the head of the Defense Ministry said.
"The main thing for us is to protect the Russian Federation from the military threat posed by Western countries that are trying to use the Ukrainian people in the fight against our country," he said.
The head of the Defense Ministry drew attention to the fact that the Russian military does not occupy Ukrainian territory and takes all measures to preserve the lives and safety of civilians. "I emphasize that strikes are carried out only on military facilities and exclusively with high-precision weapons," he added.
During the fighting, the Ukrainian side places multiple rocket launchers, guns and large-caliber mortars in the courtyards of residential buildings, near schools and kindergartens, and uses civilians as human shields, Shoigu said.
"During the fighting, the Ukrainian side does not shy away from using civilians as human shields. Multiple rocket launchers, guns, large-caliber mortars are placed in the courtyards of residential buildings, near schools and kindergartens," he said.
He thanked the personnel "for their courage and heroism, conscientious and professional performance of tasks."
TASS notes that Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 announced a special military operation in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the republics of Donbass for help. He stressed that Moscow's plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories, the goal is demilitarization and denazification of the country.