Developments in Donbass after 2014 have fully confirmed the necessity and validity of the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"Not only Donbass, but also Crimea and other Russian regions were designated as targets. The subsequent developments fully confirmed the necessity and validity of the special military operation, its truly liberating character," Putin said in a video address in connection with the anniversary of the joining of the new regions.
On September 30, Russia celebrates the Day of the Reunification of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson regions with Russia. On this day in 2022, Putin and the leaders of the abovementioned republics and regions signed international treaties for these regions to join Russia.