Putin: "I Will Not Give Up the Conviction That Russia and Ukraine Are the Same People"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] "We will never give up the conviction that Russians and Ukrainians are the same people."

According to major foreign media on the 3rd (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin said this during a security meeting held via video conference that day. The meeting was broadcast on Russian state TV, and foreign media reported that Putin said they would win no matter what happens.

Emphasizing that Russians and Ukrainians are the same people is interpreted as a sign that the attack on Ukraine will continue.

Putin's determination was also confirmed during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the same day. The call between the two leaders was reportedly arranged at Putin's request.

According to the Kremlin, Putin told President Macron that Russia's goal is to make it clear that Ukraine does not pose a threat to Russia, and that Russia's military operation objectives will be achieved no matter what happens.

A French official said Putin stated that Russia's military operation is proceeding according to plan and that the bombing will stop only if Ukraine lays down its arms. The official added that their own analysis concluded that Russia's actual goal is to control the entire Ukraine, and that the worst situation has not yet come.

Casualties in Ukraine continue to rise. Russia announced this week that 498 Russian soldiers have died and 1,500 were injured. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims that Russian military casualties exceed 5,500.

Amid analyses that the initial plan to capture the capital Kyiv (Kiyev) failed, it is reported that Russian forces are also indiscriminately bombing civilians, which has increased international criticism. Regarding civilian casualties, Putin blamed Ukraine, claiming that neo-Nazis are using civilians as human shields. He especially claimed that after leaders of India and China criticized Ukraine, neo-Nazis took Indian and Chinese students hostage.

Putin emphasized that Russian troops are fighting heroically. He also announced that families of fallen soldiers will receive 7.4 million rubles (approximately 81.92 million won) as condolence money.

As of the 3rd, the U.S. Department of Defense stated that Russia has moved 90% of the troops it had deployed at the border before invading Ukraine, up from 82% the previous day.

The U.S. Department of Defense also reported that Russia has launched 480 missiles since invading Ukraine. Of these, 230 were fired from mobile launchers brought into Ukraine by Russia. Additionally, 160 were launched from within Russia, 70 from Belarus, and 10 from the Russian Black Sea fleet.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.