Confused Vladimir Putin Says Russia 'Hasn't Started' Military Assault in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin told the Eastern Economic Forum that Russia had lost nothing - and would lose nothing - from the conflict in Ukraine, despite claims that approximately 75,000 soldiers were killed or maimed
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Confused Putin boasts 'we haven't started militarily yet'
A confused Vladimir Putin has claimed that his troops “have yet to begin” their military assault on Ukraine – despite losing around 75,000 troops since invading the country in February.
The Russian president - who describes the conflict as a "special military operation" - made the bizarre comment while attending the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
In his speech, Putin barely mentioned Ukraine other than a reference to grain exports.
However, when asked by a moderator if anything had been lost in the conflict, he claimed that Russia had in fact gained from it.
He said, "We haven't lost anything and we won't lose anything.
"All that is useless, harmful and all that prevents us from advancing will be rejected."
Putin added in a frosty tone: "And most importantly, and I want to emphasize this once again - we did not start from the point of view of military activities".
Picture:
SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)Putin, who has been in power since 1999, added: "Compared to what we have gained, I can say that the main gain has been the strengthening of our sovereignty, and this is the inevitable result of what happening now.
"This will ultimately strengthen our country from within."
He admitted 'polarisation' was happening 'both globally and within the country' - but said he thought it was 'beneficial'.
He went on to say, "The military actions in 2014 were launched - after the coup in Ukraine - by those who did not want a normal and peaceful development and tried to suppress their own people in carrying out one military operation after another, and by an eight-year genocide of the people of Donbass."
Vladimir Putin told the Eastern Economic Forum that Russia had lost nothing - and would lose nothing - from the conflict in Ukraine, despite claims that approximately 75,000 soldiers were killed or maimed
Video not available
Click to playTap to play
Confused Putin boasts 'we haven't started militarily yet'
A confused Vladimir Putin has claimed that his troops “have yet to begin” their military assault on Ukraine – despite losing around 75,000 troops since invading the country in February.
The Russian president - who describes the conflict as a "special military operation" - made the bizarre comment while attending the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
In his speech, Putin barely mentioned Ukraine other than a reference to grain exports.
However, when asked by a moderator if anything had been lost in the conflict, he claimed that Russia had in fact gained from it.
He said, "We haven't lost anything and we won't lose anything.
"All that is useless, harmful and all that prevents us from advancing will be rejected."
Putin added in a frosty tone: "And most importantly, and I want to emphasize this once again - we did not start from the point of view of military activities".
Picture:
SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)Putin, who has been in power since 1999, added: "Compared to what we have gained, I can say that the main gain has been the strengthening of our sovereignty, and this is the inevitable result of what happening now.
"This will ultimately strengthen our country from within."
He admitted 'polarisation' was happening 'both globally and within the country' - but said he thought it was 'beneficial'.
He went on to say, "The military actions in 2014 were launched - after the coup in Ukraine - by those who did not want a normal and peaceful development and tried to suppress their own people in carrying out one military operation after another, and by an eight-year genocide of the people of Donbass."
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