Military vehicles and soldiers parade across Moscow’s Red Square for the major commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. Putin, who is under arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine, addresses thousands of soldiers at a standstill in the heart of the political Russia Kremlin. The speech will be overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, the confrontation with the West, and the fear of attacks on one’s own soil. Vladimir Putin speaks in Red Square. Photo: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / AFP Putin says he is proud of the Russian soldiers’ efforts in Ukraine and that the entire country is united in its support for “our heroes”. – We are proud participants in the military special operation in Ukraine, Putin said. – The Ukrainian people have been held hostage by a coup d’état and the ambitions of the West, Putin continued. But over a year of a so-called special operation in Ukraine, Putin does not have much to show militarily. Instead, the Russian forces can expect a counter-offensive from a Ukraine that has received large arms supplies from NATO countries. – Today, our society is at a very important milestone. A real war has once again been launched against our fatherland. But we have beaten back international terrorism. We defend the citizens of Donbas. And ensures our security, Putin said. Whip up the mood But Putin will try to create a patriotic fervor around the Soviet victory over the Nazis in 1945, and strengthen his reputation as the heir to Soviet power. The Kremlin has also used the memory of the Soviet war effort to justify its offensive in Ukraine by claiming that it is fighting “fascists” backed by the West. – The West has forgotten who defeated the Nazis, Putin said. Some Putin friends are also present during the commemoration. There are the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the prime minister of Armenia. Toned down celebration Parts of central Moscow are closed. It is full of people waiting to catch a glimpse of armored vehicles and weapons as they drive out of Red Square and along Novij Arbat, reports news’s correspondent Gro Holm from Moscow. But many Russian cities have decided to cancel or scale back May 9 celebrations this year because of security concerns. Security has been tightened in Moscow in connection with the military parade on Tuesday. Photo: YULIA MOROZOVA / Reuters This applies both in areas close to Ukraine, but also in e.g. Siberia which is far away. In addition to the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, there have been several acts of sabotage in Russia recently. A drone ban has been introduced, and in St. Petersburg, which has many canals, jet skis are not allowed.
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Putin speaks on subdued victory day – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
