Russia does not wish to destroy Ukraine as a state, President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Friday.

“Our goal is not to destroy all of Ukraine. As for them, at some point they just went and cut the water supply to Crimea, where 2.4 million people live. Our troops had to enter the area and reopen the water supply to Crimea. Had they refrained from taking that action, there would have been no retaliatory actions,” the head of state said, when asked if Ukraine would continue to exist as a state.

According to the Russian president, the bombing of the Crimean Bridge once again highlights the importance of ensuring land communication with Crimea.

Source: Agencies