The latest on the Russia–Ukraine crisis, April 12. Click here for updates from April 11. No Doubt Our Goals in Ukraine Will Be Achieved, Vows Putin President Vladimir Putin says the Russian military action in Ukraine aims to ensure Russia’s security and is vowing that its goals will be achieved. Speaking Tuesday on a visit to the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia’s Far East, Putin charged that Ukraine was turned into an “anti-Russian bridgehead” where “sprouts of nationalism and neo-Nazism were being cultivated.” Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed such claims as a cover for aggression. Putin reaffirmed his claim that the Russian “special military operation” was aimed to protect people in areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists. He also said that the campaign was also aimed to “ensure Russia’s own security.” Putin argued that “we had no other choice” and said that “there is no …