Russian invasionRussian reactions

President Vladimir Putin. Sergey Guneev / AP 

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

Putin called his war "war" for the first time  

 

President Vladimir Putin used the word "war" on Thursday to describe the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It is, as far as is known, the first time, reports CNN. 

 

In Russia, the term "special operation" has been used since the country launched the large-scale invasion against its neighbor ten months ago. It became effectively illegal to use the word "war" in March, when the Russian leadership legislated against spreading "false" information about the invasion. The penalty for anyone who breaks the law can be 15 years in prison.  

 

Putin used the word when he addressed reporters in Moscow yesterday, saying Russia's goal is to "end the war." 

 

Opposition voices have commented on the incident, furiously pointing out that Putin should be jailed in the name of consequence, as that is what has happened to other Russians who called the war "war", reports the Washington Post. 

 

 

Russian invasion Unstable oil market  

The Russian minister: Can reduce production by 5-6 percent  

 

Russia may cut its oil output by 500,000-700,000 barrels per day - equivalent to 5-6 percent of today's volume - early next year, in response to the West's price cap on Russian oil exports. This is what the country's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak says in an interview with the television channel Rossiya-24, writes Bloomberg.  

 

Novak describes the reduction as "barely noticeable", but the news agency believes that it would still tighten oil supply at the same time as demand from China is expected to increase.  

 

He also reiterates the Kremlin's previous statements that Russia will not sell oil to countries that apply the oil ceiling. 

 

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. AP  

 

Russian invasionUkraine's response  

Zelensky back in Kyiv after trip to Washington  

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a video saying he is back in Kyiv after his trip to the United States. 

 

- I'm in my office. We are working to achieve victory, Zelenskyy said in the video published on his Telegram channel.  

 

The President's visit to Washington DC was preceded by several months of planning. During the visit, he met US President Joe Biden and addressed Congress.  

 

In the US, Zelensky rode in an armored SUV. Carolyn Kaster / AP  

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Zelensky's visit was planned for months - reconnaissance flights scanned for submarines  

 

During the night of Wednesday, President Zelensky boarded a night train from Kyiv to Poland. Once there, he boarded an American military aircraft that was escorted by a reconnaissance aircraft and a fighter jet over Europe and the Atlantic, writes the BBC.  

 

The train line used was described as secret, the reconnaissance aircraft scanned for Russian submarines and the fighter jet was ready to defend Zelenskyi. 

 

The Ukrainian president's trip to the US was announced just a few hours before he landed in Washington DC, but preparations had been going on for months.  

 

- Now was the right time to go, said Zelensky during his visit.