Putin: Ukraine invasion going well, tactics justified

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his so-called special operation in Ukraine is going according to plan, and so far “successful,” despite what appears to be evidence to the contrary.

Putin also claims that troops bombarding Kyiv and other cities have no plans to take over the country, in comments carried by Russian state media.

“The appearance of Russian troops near Kiev and other cities of Ukraine is not connected with the intention to occupy the country. We do not have such a goal,” he says.

According to analysts in Ukraine and the West, Russia’s invasion has been dogged by logistical problems and a Ukrainian resistance fiercer than expected.

Struggling to advance, Russian forces have bombed apartment buildings and appear to be targeting civilians, killing hundreds of non-combatants. Troops have been accused of taking people hostage as human shields and of conducting other war crimes.

However, Putin says that the military’s tactics “fully justifies itself.”

Putin also claims that the West has failed to wage “an economic blitzkrieg” against Russia.

“In effect these steps are aimed at worsening the lives of millions of people,” Putin says of the sanctions that have delivered a crippling blow to Russia’s economy.

“One should clearly understand that the new set of sanctions and restrictions against us would have followed in any case, I want to emphasize this. Our military operation in Ukraine is just a pretext for the next sanctions,” he tells a government meeting.

AP contributed.