For Russia, Ukraine symbol of free world that must be destroyed - Podoliak

This was stated by the adviser to the head of the President's Office, Mykhailo Podoliak, who spoke at the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"For them, Ukraine is a symbol that must be destroyed. It is a symbol of a free world ... For them, Ukraine is an irritant that forces them to disregard all the laws of mankind and wage such a brutal war that they are waging in Ukraine," Podoliak said.

He noted that Russia seeks to destroy the civilian population of Ukraine and civilian infrastructure.

According to Podoliak, Russia generally positions itself as a nation that should be feared and therefore agreed with.

"Our mission is simple. To make it clear to the world that Russia is a small country, not in a territorial sense, not in a physical sense, but a small country with a small heart and a small soul. That is, it’s a country of no value to the world. It’s neither technological, nor progressive, nor innovative, and neither is it valuable in terms of human capital, it’s not a cultural nation as of today," added the adviser to the head of the President’s Office.

Russian armed aggression has been going on in Ukraine since February 24.