President Vladimir Putin of Russia said on Monday that only professional servicemen will carry out the tasks of the special military operation in Ukraine, which began on February 24.

Putin further added that the operation will not involve conscripted soldiers, and addressed the relatives of servicemen participating in the operation, congratulating them on International Women's Day, March 8, to tell the women "I understand how you worry about your loved and close ones... I would like to stress that soldiers on active duty do not and will not participate in hostilities. And there will be no additional call-up of reservists."

The Russian president had announced a special military operation in Ukraine to protect the people of the DPR and LPR, who asked for Russia's aid against attacks by Ukraine's forces.

Russian officials have repeatedly said that they do not seek to occupy the country, and that the operation's aim is to de-nazify and demilitarize Ukraine by specifically targeting military infrastructure.