Spokesman: Russia to continue Ukraine operation until all goals met

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine will continue until all of Moscow’s stated objectives are achieved, signalling no immediate change in its approach to the conflict.

Speaking at a briefing, Peskov reiterated that the campaign would proceed “until all designated goals are reached,” Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“We will continue the special military operation until all the stated objectives are achieved,” Peskov said, adding that Russia has consistently maintained that any de-escalation of the “hot phase” would require Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donbas.

He also noted that Russia has not set any deadlines for the fulfilment of these conditions.

Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces entered Ukraine following an announcement by President Vladimir Putin. Russia has described the action as a “special military operation,” while Ukraine and most of the international community have characterised it as a full-scale invasion.

Initial Russian advances targeted multiple regions, including approaches towards Kyiv, as well as areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. 

In September 2022, Russia announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, a move widely rejected by Ukraine and condemned by numerous countries. The front lines have since remained largely fluid, but with prolonged periods of entrenched fighting and periodic offensives by both sides.

The conflict has resulted in extensive human displacement, with millions of people leaving Ukraine or becoming internally displaced. Both sides have reported significant military losses, though independently verified comprehensive casualty figures remain limited. Infrastructure damage across Ukraine has also been reported throughout the course of the war.

By Aghakazim Guliyev