Photo taken on Feb. 21, 2022 shows a screen displaying Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking during a televised address to the nation in Moscow, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday that he has signed a decree recognizing "the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR)" and "the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR)" as independent and sovereign states. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
MOSCOW, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized a "special operation" in Donbass region, Russian state news agency TASS reported. ■
