Moscow: Russia on Monday said it did not start the hostilities, but it is completing them and will put an end to the threats from the Kyiv regime against the country.
Russian Defence Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov, talking to reporters here, noted that the Ukrainian authorities had killed 14,000 civilians in the Donbas, including hundreds of children, over the past eight years.
“It was necessary to put an end to this. It was necessary to put an end to the endless threats from the Kyiv regime against Russia and Russia will do it,” he said.
Only contract servicemen take part in the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov also said.
“I would like to emphasise that only officers and servicemen who serve under contract as privates and sergeants take part in the special military operation from the Russian Armed Forces,” he added.
