Russian forces to continue special military operation in Ukraine until objectives are met - Shoigu

MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax) - Russian forces will continue the special military operation in Ukraine until their objectives are met, first and foremost, to protect Russia from the external military threat coming from Western nations, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

"The Russian contingent will continue the special military operation until these goals are achieved," Shoigu said at a teleconference on Tuesday.

Shoigu said in his opening remarks that "the Russian Armed Forces have been on a special military operation since February 24 on the orders from the supreme commander-in-chief for the purpose of the protection of the Donbas population and the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine."

"Our priority is to protect the Russian Federation from the military threat created by Western nations, which are trying to use the Ukrainian people in the fight against our country," Shoigu said.

In the course of the special military operation, "the Russian army is not occupying Ukrainian territory, and every measure is being taken to protect lives and to ensure the security of the civilian population," he said.

"Please note that strikes are delivered exclusively to military sites and only precision-guided weapons are being used," Shoigu said.