Ukraine-Russia War: Ukraine involved in genocide in Donbass region, claims Russia

Amid ever-escalating Russia-Ukraine war, Russian President Vlimir Putin, on Wednesday, said that Ukraine is involved in gecide in Donbass region. According to Russia Today, Putin said that Ukraine was encourd by US and or Western countries and 'purposefully prepared for a military scenario'. 

Putin said, "Encourd by US and or Western countries, Ukraine was purposefully preparing for a massacre & an ethnic cleansing in Donbass. A massive onslaught on Donbas & n Crimea was simply a matter of time. se plans were shattered by our Armed Forces."

"In Kyiv, y were t only preparing for war, for aggression against Russia, against Donbass, but y were also waging it. Attempts to organise sabot and terrorist underground did t stop. In recent years, hostilities have continued in Donbass, with shelling of peaceful settlements. During this time, almost 14,000 civilians died, including children," Russia Today quoted Putin as saying. 

Vlimir Putin calls for 'self-purification' of Russia

Putin h furr slammed pro-Western Russians by calling m “national traitors” in a televised dress. He said, " West will try to rely on so-called fifth column, on national traitors, on those who earn money here with us but live re. And I mean ‘live re’ t even in geographical sense of word, but according to ir thoughts, ir slavish consciousness,” ding that se people "cant live without oysters and freedom."

Russian President also targetted Russians who are opposing war in Ukraine. Putin said, "Russians will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit m out like a gnat that accidentally flew into ir mouths. And re is only one goal, I have alrey spoken about it — destruction of Russia. I am convinced that such a natural and necessary self-purification of society will only strengn our country."

Meanwhile, more than 3 million Ukrainians fled ir country since invasion began on February 24. An estimated 1.8 million have crossed into Poland, while ors first arrived at borders of Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova.