Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stressed Wednesday that NATO vehicles transporting weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be considered a legitimate target for destruction.

"The United States and NATO allies continue to flood Ukraine with weapons. I would like to point out that we view all NATO vehicles that arrive in the country carrying weapons and supplies for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as legitimate military targets," Shoigu affirmed during a video conference.

He also noted that the remnants of Ukrainian militants who are at Azovstal are securely blocked around the perimeter of the plant, adding that the Russian forces continue to try to convince the nationalists to release civilians and lay down their arms.

Shoigu confirmed that the units of the Russian Armed Forces along with the DPR and LPR forces are expanding their control over the territories of the two Donbass republics.

The Russian Defense Minister highlighted that Russian soldiers taking part in the special military operation in Ukraine are "showing courage and bravery, faithfully doing their duty and ensuring the safety of the people in Donbass."

Shoigu underlined that "the Russian Armed Forces will continue to carry out tasks set by the commander-in-chief."