Gerasimov: fierce battles have been going on in the special operation zone from the very beginning

From the very beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, the fighting has been fierce, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said at a briefing for foreign military attachés.

“It should be noted that the hostilities unfolded over a vast territory and were fierce from the very beginning”said the general.

He recalled that Russian troops, using high-precision weapons, hit aviation bases, air defense systems, command posts, warehouses and arsenals of the Ukrainian army, had already liberated the LPR, Mariupol, the territories of Kherson and Zaporozhye regions with the coast of the Sea of ​​Azov.

Gerasimov noted that the Ukrainian troops, due to the mobilization and supply of weapons from the United States and NATO countries, continue fierce resistance, despite serious losses of military equipment and personnel.

Russian special operation to protect Donbass

Recall, on February 17, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics announced an aggravation of the situation. The republics announced the evacuation of civilians.

On February 21, the leaders of the Donbass republics turned to Russian leader Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the independence of the DNR and LNR. The head of state held a meeting of the Security Council, after which he announced the recognition of the republics. Friendship and cooperation agreements were also signed with the independent Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. The State Duma and the Federation Council ratified these agreements.

On February 23, the heads of the DPR and LPR appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to help repel Ukraine’s aggression in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and civilian casualties.

On February 24, the Russian leader addressed the nation and announced the start of a special operation in Ukraine to protect Donbass.

On September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions signed agreements on the entry of these regions into the Russian Federation.