Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he had decided to conduct a special military operation in response to the speech of leaders of the Donbass republics.

"People’s republics of Donbass approached Russia with a request for help. In connection therewith, <…> I decided to hold a special military operation. Its goal is to protect the people that are subjected to abuse, genocide from the Kyiv regime for eight years, and to this end, we will seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine and put to justice those that committed numerous bloody crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals," Putin said in the television address.

Russian state news agency, TASS reported Putin said that the Justice and Truth are on his side. He stressed on de-Nazification of Ukraine.

"The welfare, the very existence of entire countries and peoples, their success and health are always originating from the strong root system of culture and values, experience and traditions of ancestors, directly depending on abilities to quickly adapt to continuously changing life, consolidation of the society, its readiness to consolidate and gather all forces together for moving forward," Putin said.

"Forces are always needed but they can be of different quality," the Russian leader said. "And we know the real strength is in justice and truth that are on our side," he added.