Updated on 01:08 p.m. Moscow Time

YAKUTSK, September 1 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian military is purposely firing at residential areas but Europe prefers not to notice, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

“The [actions of the militia in eastern Ukraine] are apparent because Ukraine’s regular units have encircled large populated areas and are firing at residential quarters on purpose,” Putin said.

“And this, unfortunately, in many countries including Europe is preferred to not be noticed,” Putin added.

The Russian president arrived Monday in the city of Yakutsk to participate in a discussion about Russian Far East matters and to attend the launch of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline construction. The meeting will be attended by the heads of federal ministries, regions and major companies.

Since mid-April, the Ukrainian government has been conducting a military operation in eastern Ukraine, attempting to suppress independence supporters who refused to acknowledge the newly instated authorities following a February 22 coup.

Thousands of civilians have suffered as a result of the ongoing conflict, with more than 2,000 people killed and in excess of 5,000 injured. Continuous attacks on residential areas by the Ukrainian Army are worsening the already catastrophic situation in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned the military operation and urged a peaceful resolution of the conflict. To help the civilian population, Russia sent a humanitarian convoy to the troubled regions of Ukraine with about 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid under the auspices of the Red Cross, with the intention to send more.