Defiant Vladimir Putin brands Ukrainians ‘extreme gangsters’ and ‘brainwashed’ & insists war is a ‘success’

AN EMBATTLED Vladimir Putin has issued a ferocious defence of his invasion of Ukraine, bizarrely claiming the war has been a “success”, despite the Russian army suffering heavy losses. Addressing his people on the eighth day of the conflict, Russia’s president said that the Ukrainians had been “brainwashed”, and insisted that his soldiers were the “real heroes”. ReutersVladimir Putin has given his first TV address since the start of the conflict[/caption] NewsflashRussia’s President insisted the war with Ukraine had been a ‘success’[/caption] AlamyPutin claimed that Ukrainians had been ‘brainwashed’[/caption] In a fiery televised meeting with his security council, President Putin branded the Ukrainians “extreme gangsters”, and accused the military of using civilians as “human shields”. Playing down the scale of the invasion as a “special operation” designed to protect the eastern Donbas region, he insisted his plans were on time and on schedule, despite Russia losing more than 6,000 troops so far. Denying Ukrainian claims that Russian forces are deliberately targeting civilians, Putin instead blamed the 2,000 civilian casualties so far on “neo-Nazis” holding the people of Ukraine hostage. In his first address since the start of the conflict eight days ago, Putin admitted that his forces had lost “some small towns”, and acknowledged that some Russian forces, including a senior commander, had died in the fight. But he claimed the officer had blown himself up in a heroic act of sacrifice, taking out several Ukrainian soldiers. He gave no indication of when the war might be over. It comes just hours after Putin rang French President Emmanuel Macron, defiantly telling him he has no intention of pulling out of Ukraine. He also told his French counterpart that he would hold firm on his demands for Ukraine to be completely neutralised and demilitarised, and insisted he would achieve his military aims “whatever happens” and will continue fighting until “the end”. Most read in News TREACHERY Live updates as desperate Putin plots martial law in RUSSIA as rebellion grows BLITZED TO BITS Shocking photos show obliterated Russian army as Putin ‘loses 9,000 troops' LEFT ALONE Brothers, 4 & 6, found outside at midnight after mum left them to go drinking PEOPLE POWER Ukrainians block Russian troops from nuclear plant amid 'catastrophe’ warning YOU WILL PAY Zelenskyy vows Putin will pay for every dead Ukrainian as Kyiv is pounded TIME'S UP Putin's oligarch cronies are growing tired of his needless war - & will end him For his part, Macron warned Putin his invasion was a “major mistake” and accused the Russian leader of “lying” to himself. He was quoted by a French official as telling Putin: “‘It will cost your country dearly, your country will end up isolated, weakened, and under sanctions for a very long time’.” Russian troops are escalating their efforts to conquer Ukraine, with Putin’s army claiming their first major city of the conflict so far. But the war has come at a tremendous cost to Russia so far, both in terms of soldiers lost, and economic. Russia is becoming increasingly isolated in the world as it feels the crushing weight of Western sanctions. On Thursday, video showed Russians panic-buying at the Moscow branch of Ikea after the Swedish giant announced it was ceasing operations in the country in response to the war in Ukraine.