Russian President Vladimir Putin's address to the citizens of the country. Full version

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the citizens of the country on Thursday, November 21. "Izvestia" publishes the full version of the Russian leader's speech.

In it, the head of state said that Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, and also reported a combined strike by the Russian Armed Forces (AF) on one of Ukraine's defense-industrial complex (DIC) facilities in response to these actions by Kiev. The president specified that the Russian military struck the Yuzhmash production complex located in Dnipropetrovsk with an Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile.

The Russian leader also pointed out in his address that Washington and its North Atlantic Alliance allies have continued an escalation course by authorizing the use of long-range missiles on Russian territory. According to him, the regional conflict has now acquired elements of a global character. The Russian leader specified that the issue of further deployment of medium-range and shorter-range weapons will be decided by Moscow depending on the actions of the United States and its satellites.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region.