Vladimir Putin has brazenly claimed Ukrainian forces are using civilians as human shields.
The Russian President said on Thursday that Moscow military operations in Ukraine were "going according to plan" and praised its soldiers as "heroes."
In televised statements, Putin made a series of allegations against the Ukraine forces, none of which he backed up with any evidence.
Among them was a claim that Ukraine were holding foreign citizens hostage and using human shields.
His confidence comes despite reports suggesting intel showed he planned to take Kyiv within 48 hours.
One week since the start of the invasion, they have still not gained control of the capital.
Mr Putin also claimed that Ukrainians and Russians are "one people" but that Ukrainians are "threatened and brainwashed".
At least 17 children have been killed as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine so far.
The conflict, now in its second week, is exacting a harrowing toll on children, UNICEF warned today.
“The use of explosive weapons in cities could quickly turn this crisis into a catastrophe for Ukraine’s children,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
“There are no armed operations of this scale that do not result in children being harmed. The consequences will be tragic.”
Since February 24, the outbreak of the war, , 17 children have been killed and 30 have been injured. These are only the reports that the United Nations has been able to verify – the true number of child casualties is likely far higher.
