The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, expressed “great sorrow” over the death of Russian soldiers in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin sent in troops in efforts to “demilitarize” and “denazify” the neighbouring country, CNN reported. 

Peskov, on Thursday, said, “Naturally, we all express condolences to relatives and friends, those who have lost their husbands and children. Of course, this is a great tragedy for all of us”. He added, “At the same time, we all admire the heroism of the military. Their acts of bravery will, of course, go down in history as a feat in the fight against the Nazis and the fulfilment of this important task”. 

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Notably, the Nazi reference is merely Peskov toeing the line established by Putin, which has thus far been widely discredited since Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and his family went through the Holocaust. Further, Russian attacks on Kyiv have damaged the Holocaust memorial at Babin Yar, drawing criticism from Zelenskyy. 

Peskov also added that Putin would address the loss of Russian lives at the start of his Security Council meeting, slated to be held on Thursday, but remained mum on whether he’d announce a national day of mourning. 

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Addressing online speculations of martial law being imposed in Russia and a travel ban being placed on military-aged men, Peskov commented, “These are hoaxes, mere hoaxes circling around. Then citizens send them to each other and so on. Therefore, you need to be very careful about all the information and not become victims of rumours and simple deception”, as per CNN. 

While Putin wages war in Ukraine, there are many in Russia who have protested this decision. Several anti-war demonstrations have taken place, and protestors have been placed under arrest. Russia’s actions have also drawn global ire as the country faces severe economic sanctions which have caused the ruble to take a massive fall against the dollar.