Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu commented on the war in Ukraine for the first time since March. He said that the plan to allegedly "liberate" the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics" was being implemented consistently.

This is reported by the RosSMI.

"The plan to 'liberate' the Donetsk and Luhansk 'people's republics' is being consistently implemented," the publications quoted Shoigu as saying.

He added that "peaceful life" was allegedly being established in the Russian-occupied areas. At the same time, Shoigu accused the United States and other Western countries of "prolonging as much as possible" the war in Ukraine.

It should be noted that over the past three weeks, Shoigu has barely appeared in public or made any statements. In late March and early April, the media reported that he had health problems.

The last time the head of the Defense Ministry spoke publicly was on March 29. At that time, he named the main goal of the so-called "special operation" in Ukraine, adding that its main tasks had generally been accomplished.