Ukraine: Vladimir Putin Thanks Special Forces In Televised Address

Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked the country's special forces amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

As the country enters its fourth day of invasion, Putin has praised Russia's special forces for 'heroically fulfilling their military duty' in Ukraine.

In a televised address, which took place today, February 27, on a day known in Russia as Special Forces Day, Putin applauded Russian troops' 'impeccable service in the name of the people of Russia and our great motherland'.

The address was also released on the Kremlin website.

The Russian President stated: 'I want to thank the command, the personnel of the Special Operations Forces, veterans of the Special Forces units for their loyalty to the oath, for their impeccable service in the name of the people of Russia and our great Motherland,' Republic World reports.

He also applauded troops for 'heroically fulfilling their military duty in the course of a special operation to provide assistance to the people's republics of Donbas.'

In referring to Donbas, Putin speaks of two areas located in eastern Ukraine, which are currently being held by rebels. Ahead of its invasion of the country, Russia recognised the two areas as independent states, BBC News reports.

Alongside applauding the actions and efforts of his military so far, Putin also wished them 'good luck, success, and all the best to you and your loved ones' as they continue their 'faithful and honest service'.

He concluded by calling Russian forces 'noble defenders' and the country's 'pride'.

Despite Putin's appraisal of Russian troops and their 'heroic' fulfilling of duties, the Ukrainian military has claimed the Russian federation armed forces have suffered the 'worst number of fatalities in its existence'. On February 25, Ukraine's defence ministry alleged that more than 1,000 Russians have been killed, opposed to a figure first set at over 450. Today, February 27, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malya suggested an estimated 4,300 Russian servicemen had been killed, though that number is still being clarified, Sky News reports.

The UK's Ministry of Defence also stated that the number of Russian casualties is 'likely greater than acknowledged by the Kremlin'.

While Russian forces have continued their advance towards the country's capital of Kyiv, as of yesterday, February 26, the MoD claimed that Russia had not yet gained control of Ukraine's airspace and that this had reduced the Russian Air Force's effectiveness.

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