Russia explains why the military operation in Ukraine has slowed down

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emphasized that Russia’s delay in the military operation in Ukraine was intended to evacuate the population and avoid civilian casualties – RT reported.

Shoigu explained that the Russian armed forces are creating humanitarian corridors and announcing a ceasefire to ensure the safe evacuation of people from besieged settlements, although this approach is challenging. hinder the progress of the Russian army.

“Of course, this slows down the speed of the attack, but it is being done deliberately to avoid civilian casualties,” Shoigu explained at a meeting of the Organization of Defense Ministers’ Council. Collective Security Treaty (CSTO).

Defense Minister Shoigu stated, unlike the armed forces Ukraine, the Russian military does not carry out attacks on civilian infrastructure where people may be nearby. Instead, identified firing positions and Ukrainian military installations are being attacked with high-precision weapons.

The Defense Minister also announced that Western countries, fearing the defeat of Ukrainian forces, are promoting aid shipments of lethal weapons to Ukraine and are sending more military advisers and personnel. from private military companies. According to Shoigu, the number of foreign mercenaries in Ukraine has exceeded 6,000.

However, despite sanctions against Russia and the generous help of The West for Kiev, Mr. Shoigu confirmed that Russia will continue the special military operation until all the objectives are achieved.

The Russian Defense Minister once again stressed that the current situation in Ukraine is the result of the West’s refusal to consider Russian proposals to solve important issues related to national security concerns. Moscow, including the cessation of NATO expansion to the east and the non-deployment of offensive weapons. near the border of Russia.

“Things were done quite the opposite way. The United States lays out a roadmap for the complete dismantling of the existing international security architecture, along with the global deployment of missile defense systems, and the development of shorter and medium-range missile systems.” – Minister Shoigu added, adding that NATO is already at Russia’s doorstep and has significantly increased its combat potential.

Mr. Shoigu also noted, the military alliance NATO The US-led coalition has stepped up efforts to get Ukraine to join and deploy the alliance’s military infrastructure on the territory of Kiev, making it hostile to Moscow.

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine at the end of February, after accusing Kiev of failing to fulfill the terms of the Minsk agreement, first signed in 2014 and eventually Moscow’s recognition of the the self-proclaimed Donbass republics Donetsk and Lugansk. The Minsk agreement brokered by Germany and France was designed to give the breakaway regions special status in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country and will never join the US-led NATO military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian attack is completely unprovoked and rejects claims it is planning to retake the two republics in Russia. Donbass by violence.