The Kremlin’s cynicism: Putin declares war against Ukraine “righteous”
30 September 16:18
Russia is waging a “righteous battle” in Ukraine to “protect the choice” of residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine who wish to “be with their homeland, with Russia.” This was stated by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in a video message. The recording was released on Tuesday, September 30, on the occasion of the third anniversary of Moscow’s annexation of part of Ukrainian territories after the so-called “referendums,” "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
At the same time, Putin acknowledged that residents of the Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in September 2022 still have “many really acute, urgent problems.” “Among them are the primary, vital issues of reliable water supply, access to quality healthcare, and so on,” Putin said.
Putin announced the annexation of Ukrainian regions (which Russian authorities and propagandists call “accession”) – Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” – on September 30, 2022, shortly after the “referendums” held there in September 2022.
According to Russian media, “at the moment, Russia has occupied about 88% of Donbas and 73% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, a total of about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.”
