Vladimir Putin has warned that the war in Ukraine is a “matter of life and death” for Russia

Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine War 'Issue of Life and Death' for RussiaFor the West it is nothing more than another issue related to its strategic position.

“For them it was an improvement in their tactical position, but “For us it is our destiny, it is a matter of life or death”The Russian president said in an interview with the Russian state radio and television network, which was echoed by the country's main news outlets.

Putin noted that he tried to clarify the matter in his recent and much-discussed interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, because it was “important” for Russian and foreign people to understand how sensitive “everything that happens in the direction of Ukraine” is for Russia. .

Last week, a controversial two-hour interview aired between the former Fox News anchor and the Russian president in which he rejected, among other things, accusations that he was interested in expanding the Ukraine conflict to other countries. From NATO.

“World War Will Bring Mankind to the Brink of Destruction”The Russian president said, accusing the West of “encouraging” Russia's threat. “They are trying to intimidate their people with an imaginary Russian threat,” he asserted.

For his part, the Kremlin leader this Saturday stood out in recent hours over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, congratulating the Russian military for capturing the Avtivka fortress in eastern Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said. Russian in a statement.

The capture of the city, where fighting has not stopped since last October, was reported to the Kremlin chief by the defense chief. Sergei Shoigu.

“The Minister of Defense, General Sergei Shoigu, today in the Kremlin informed the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of taking full control (…) of the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk People's Republic,” he notes. Official reference.

Meanwhile, Putin congratulated “all units that fought for Avdivka” in a telegram. “Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in battle”The President reads the message.

Also head of the Moscow-imposed Donetsk region, Denis BushilinHe thanked the Russian military for taking a Ukrainian fortress located a few kilometers from the regional capital of the same name, which has been controlled by Moscow since 2014.

“On behalf of the residents of Donbass, I thank our troops, our army and our president for the Donetsk People's Republic to continue to liberate itself and for Avdiyvka to be with us,” he wrote. telegram.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense highlighted this Only a few Ukrainian organizations managed to leave Avdiivka“Abandoning their weapons and military equipment.”

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said his country's forces' front-line operations were limited only by a lack of ammunition and long-range missiles from the West. It allows Russia to adapt to the situation on the battlefield.

“Our actions are limited only by the effectiveness and reach of our power. Avdivka is the source,” he said, after the withdrawal of Kyiv troops from the eastern city.

In this way, a spokesperson for the National Security Council of the United States, Adrian WatsonThis Saturday he targeted Republican lawmakers, accusing them of responsibility for recent defeats by Kyiv troops on the battlefield, as well as the Russian victory. Avdivka.

“This is the price of congressional inaction.”The official announced while urging those responsible to take action and approve the proposal “without delay” to immediately resume sending equipment and ammunition to the country at war.

(with information from Europa Press and EFE)