Everything that happens in Ukraine is for Russia "a matter of life and death" and concerns the fate of the country, while for the West it is only a matter of tactical position.
This is what Russian President Vladimir Putin said, commenting on a part of his recent interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have taken full control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Kremlin that Russian forces are now working to eliminate the last pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka chemical plant. Videos on social media showed soldiers raising the Russian flag on one of the plant's buildings.
Russian media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the armed forces on an "important victory" achieved in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiïvka, after being briefed on the military campaign by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.