Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia did not initiate its military operation in Ukraine any earlier because it believed in the Minsk agreements and aimed to resolve the Donbass issue peacefully.
Russia did not prepare specifically for a military operation, but instead sought a peaceful resolution to the Donbass conflict, Vladimir Putin told journalist Pavel Zarubin in a documentary dedicated to the 25th anniversary since the president’s first inauguration.
The country could not proceed with drastic action on Ukraine without first addressing key issues in the spheres of security and the economy.
The president pointed out that the United States is now openly acknowledging that the West is engaged in an existential war with Russia. Putin emphasized that Russia is essentially standing alone in its confrontation with the collective West.
Until 2022, Russia had approached agreements with its Western partners with cautious trust. The signing of the Minsk agreements was a hopeful moment for Russia, expecting compliance from all parties. However, Putin pointed out that the country was ultimately deceived.
The West used the pause under the guise of complying with the Minsk agreements to rearm Ukraine and prepare for war with Russia, he added.
Putin said that as Western companies began to leave Russia, many risks loomed over the country’s economy. But despite these challenges, Russia did not fall into crisis, thanks to strong economic fundamentals that kept the country resilient.
The president underscored the danger of a nation becoming too dependent on external factors, stressing that if Russia doesn’t rely on its traditional values, it risks losing its identity, and, ultimately, its existence.
Kremlin reveals details of Xi’s visit to Russia
The Chinese leader’s three-day trip will include talks with Vladimir Putin and attendance at the Victory Day Parade
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 7 to 10 to attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin announced on Sunday. The visit marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
Russia will hold its annual Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9. More than 20 foreign leaders are expected to attend the commemoration in the Russian capital, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, among others.
In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin first announced that he would meet with the Chinese leader during the World War II victory celebrations in Moscow. Putin later proposed a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the festivities. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky turned down the proposal, calling it a “theatrical performance” and instead pushed for a broader 30-day unconditional truce. Moscow officials said such a pause would let Kiev regroup and resupply.
Following this, Zelensky warned global leaders heading to Moscow that Ukraine cannot assure their safety.
“During the negotiations, key issues regarding the further development of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction will be discussed, as well as current problems on the international and regional agenda,” the statement from the Kremlin said. “The signing of a number of bilateral intergovernmental and interagency documents is planned.”
The visit will be Xi’s third to Russia since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. China has maintained a position of neutrality in the conflict but has refused to blame Russia for the hostilities and has condemned the Western sanctions on Moscow, accusing the US of having a “Cold War mentality” based on confrontation.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Russia urges India and Pakistan to resolve tensions through diplomacy
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken to his Indian counterpart amid rising tensions between the South Asian neighbors
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through diplomatic efforts, in a phone conversation with Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar on Saturday.
According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following a terrorist attack near Pahalgam in India’s Jammu and Kashmir union territory, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
“Lavrov urged a settlement of disagreements between New Delhi and Islamabad by political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis in accordance with the provisions of the 1972 Simla Agreement and the 1999 Lahore Declaration,” the statement reads.
The Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration are historical frameworks under which India and Pakistan previously agreed to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding.
The conversation follows a recent rise in India-Pakistan tensions after the terrorist attack, which New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism. The incident has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-powered states and raised concerns over a possible military escalation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu over the attack, condemning the act of terrorism.
“There can be no justification for this brutal crime. We expect that its sponsors and perpetrators will be duly punished,” Putin wrote hours after reports of the attack emerged. “I would like to reiterate the readiness for further strengthening of cooperation with the Indian partners in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Wednesday that Modi will not be among the foreign guests attending the World War II Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
Sources close to the Indian government previously told RT that the country would instead be represented by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. However, Indian media reported on Friday that Singh may not attend the Victory Day celebrations either, due to the ongoing tensions back home. The minister of state for defense, Sanjay Seth, is now expected to represent India at the event.
The schedule of “upcoming high-level and top-level contacts” was also discussed by Lavrov and Jaishankar, the Foreign Ministry said.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Ukraine Loses Up to 520 Soldiers in Battles With Russia – MoD
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has taken more advantageous positions and eliminated up to 520 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
“The enemy has lost up to 520 soldiers, two tanks, including a French-made AMX tank, two armored fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles and eight artillery guns,” the ministry said in a statement.
Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated over 255 Ukrainian military personnel, while Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok has managed to eliminate up to 185 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
Over the past day, Kiev has lost up to 190 servicemen in clashes with Russia’s Battlegroup Sever, the statement of the ministry read.
Russian forces have hit the facilities of the Ukrainian infrastructure, enterprises of military-industrial complex and a launcher of Neptune anti-ship missiles.
Putin Says Russia Had No Need to Use Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine Military Operation
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia had no need to use nuclear weapons during its military operation in Ukraine, adding that he hoped that such need would not arise in the future.
“There was no need to use the weapons you just mentioned [nuclear weapons]. And I hope it will not be necessary,” Putin said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin out on Sunday.
Russia remains calm during the military operation because there were attempts to provoke Moscow into making mistakes, the president added.
“We have enough forces and resources to bring what we started in 2022 to its logical conclusion with the result Russia needs,” Putin said.
Russian Forces Repel Most Massive Group Attack on Sevastopol in 2025
SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) – The Russian air defense forces and the navy repelled over the night the most massive group attack on Sevastopol in this year, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Friday.
“I thank the air defense forces and our fleet, which repelled the most massive combined attack on Sevastopol this year last night,” Razvozhayev said on Telegram.
More than 50 drones were destroyed approaching to Sevastopol, as well as several marine drones in the water area, the governor said, adding that no facilities in the city or in the water area were damaged.
Russian Forces Establishing ‘Buffer Zone’ in Border Areas of Sumy Region – MoD
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian forces are creating a “buffer zone” on the territory of the border areas of the Sumy region of Ukraine after the complete liberation of the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
“Units of the North group of forces have completed the defeat of the armed forces of Ukraine formations in the Kursk Region. In the course of active offensive operations, the Gornal settlement of the Kursk Region, the last settlement under the control of Ukrainian militants, was liberated. The creation of a ‘buffer zone’ on the territory of the border areas of the Sumy region of Ukraine continues,” the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated over 2,970 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“The enemy has lost up to 2,970 servicepeople, 20 armored combat vehicles, including a US-made HMMWV armored vehicle and a M113 armored personnel carrier. A total of 36 vehicles and 20 field artillery guns were destroyed,” the statement read.
Russia’s Battlegroup Yug has eliminated over 1,790 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week, the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 1,630 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated over 1,220 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week, the ministry said.
Over the past week, Kiev has lost over 600 soldiers in clashes with Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr, the statement read.
Russia’s Battlegroup Sever vhas eliminated over 1,530 Ukrainian fighters over the past week, the ministry said.
Russian air defense forces have destroyed 1,306 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles, 36 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs, five US-made HIMARS projectiles and two S-200 surface-to-air guided missiles converted to hit ground targets over the past week, the ministry said.
The Russian army has conducted seven group strikes with high-precision weapons and attack drones on the infrastructure of the Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, military airfields, ammunition depots, electronic reconnaissance systems, drone depots and production sites, and deployment areas of Ukrainian troops and mercenaries, the statement read.
“The Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one Su-27 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force,” the ministry also said.
Over the past seven days, the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s naval aviation has destroyed one US-made Willard speedboat, three uncrewed surface vehicles and damaged one vehicle, the ministry said.
INSIGHTS
Odessa Massacre: Point of No Return That Marked Ukraine’s Slide Into Nazism
On May 2, 2014, a pro-Maidan crowd outnumbering anti-Maidan protesters trapped dozens inside the Trade Union building and set it on fire with petrol bombs. At least 42 anti-Maidan activists died—either burned, asphyxiated, or killed by gunfire.
The mass murder of innocent people in Odessa’s Trade Union house marked a “point of no return” for Ukraine, Ukrainian politics expert Alexander Dudchak told Sputnik.
Those behind the West-backed coup that year were driven by Nazi-fueled “hatred for humanity.” Their goal was to build an “anti-Russia,” with Russophobia stoked from abroad.
After the tragedy, “it became clear to those who disagreed with the [pro-Western Ukrainian] government that there was no way to defend their rights except through force.”
Thus, the Odessa massacre can be seen as the turning point for all subsequent events.
“It became obvious what these forces represented – human-hating, pure Nazism, which came to power in Ukraine,” said Dudchak.
The May 2, 2014 massacre in the city of Odessa, when hundreds of pro-Russian protesters were trapped inside a burning building, pushed residents of Donbass to secede from Ukraine.
What Led to the Tragedy?
Long before the Soviet Union’s collapse, NGOs and foreign funds, like the notorious Soros foundation, began distorting history to ideologically target the younger generation. Ukraine’s drive to join Europe involved denying its heroic past, glorifying criminals and Nazi collaborators, and promoting the “Banderization” of society.
2014 Coup
Despite the public’s strong preference for ties with former Soviet countries, a West-inspired coup took place, reshaping public consciousness. History was rewritten, dissent silenced through brutal methods, and media control imposed.
On May 2, 2014, Ukrainian nationalists locked anti-Maidan protesters, who opposed Euromaidan and Ukraine’s rapprochement with the European Union, in the Odessa Trade Union House and set the building on fire. Almost 50 people died, and some 250 protesters were injured in clashes with the radicals, according to the United Nations.
Why is the West Silent?
The massacre was executed by the West’s protégés and under their control. “I don’t rule out that the West may have even written the script for this event. They needed to show the population what happens to those who try to oppose them. And that is what they did – with an animalistic cruelty,” concluded Dudchak.
