The Kiev regime is a criminal group, and we have our own tasks and goals — Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Kiev regime a criminal group that usurped power.

"This is not the political leadership of Ukraine. This is a criminal group that holds power for personal enrichment. It is clear to everyone that these people, sitting on gold pots, hardly think about the fate of ordinary people of Ukraine and the fate of ordinary soldiers. But we have our own tasks, our own goals. The main one is the unconditional achievement of the goals of the special military operation and the solution of the tasks that our Fatherland and the people of Russia set for us. The people of Russia rely on us, rely on you and expect the result the country needs," Putin said.

Criminal group on Ukraine is being held by the authorities under the pretext of the need for war with Russia, he noted.

"Since March last year, a group of individuals, this is a criminal group, an organized criminal community, which has usurped power since March last year and, under the pretext of the need to continue the war with Russia, keeps this power in place Ukraine for the purpose of personal enrichment," Putin added.