Russia is fighting in the special military operation to preserve the country's existence in its current form, State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said, arguing that without such a struggle, the country would cease to exist. The lawmaker said Russia is defending its independence, freedom and "the ability to make its own decisions." "Unfortunately, history has left us no other way to fight for this than with weapons in our hands. <...> The question is whether Russia will survive in the form in which it exists today, or whether it will cease to exist at all. "The reality we face today leaves us no choice.