As the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify, Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling on Ukrainians to overthrow their own government leaders.
According to a Feb. 25 post on The Guardian, Putin addressed the Ukrainian military on television and angrily urged them to “take power in your own hands” and overthrow its leadership.
"It seems like it will be easier for us to agree with you than this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis," Putin said in the televised address, according to The Guardian.
Putin also accused Ukrainian leadership of being terrorists responsible for the bloodshed Russia is causing. He reportedly accused Ukrainian fighters of firing artillery at Russian forces to provoke a response. He did not provide any sources for his accusations.
"We are fighting with nationalist groups that are directly responsible for the genocide of the Donbas and the bloodshed of peaceful civilians in the two republics," Putin said.
Putin also praised the Russian military for fighting to protect “our people and our fatherland.”
