Russian Guardsmen raised a copy of the Victory Banner on the Alley of Glory in Kherson. File photoMOSCOW, Apr 20 Saving the lives of civilians is the key difference between the special military operation of the Russian army in Ukraine and the traditional war, the former commander-in-chief of the Russian Airborne Forces, head of the «Association of Heroes» Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov.
"The main thing is to save people. This special military operation is different from the war. War implies a different attitude, war is war", the general said, answering the relevant question.
The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine, which began on February 24. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.» According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Armed Forces strike only at military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops. On March 25, the Russian military department reported on the accomplishment of the main tasks of the first stage — a significant reduction in the combat potential of Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry called the liberation of Donbass the main goal.