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, addressed thousands of soldiers standing by in the heart of the political Russia Kremlin. The speech was 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 said he was proud of the Russian soldiers’ efforts in Ukraine and that the entire country was 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 West’s ambitions, 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. Victory Day was marked on Red Square on Tuesday. Photo: PELAGIA TIKHONOVA / AFP But Putin did not mention the challenges that the Russian forces are facing in Ukraine. – 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 in the speech, which lasted ten minutes. Whip up the mood Moscow is decorated for what – according to the Russians themselves – is the biggest and most important party day in the country. Here are red flags and banners with the Georgian ribbon, marking support for veterans and soldiers, and in this situation for Russian warfare in Ukraine. Putin arrived in Red Square by car. Photo: PELAGIA TIKHONOVA / AFP Putin is trying 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. Ukrainians do not fight for the fatherland, but for America, believes Sergej Galitsyn (TV) Photo: Gro Holm/news Sergej and Aleksander Galitsyn participate in the celebration with children and grandson Kirill. – We celebrate the day of victory over Hitler’s Nazis and the fight against fascists and Nazis that is going on in Ukraine now. They didn’t succeed in beating us then, they won’t succeed now, says Sergej Galitsyn. – Aren’t the Ukrainians just fighting for their independence and the right to be their own state?, asks news. – No, they are not fighting for the fatherland, but for America. The Wagner manager with a new gesture to Putin After Putin had stepped down from the podium, his former chef came up with a new plan from the front in Ukraine. . Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin says that Russian forces are fleeing the fighting in Bakhmut. At the same time, he says he is still waiting for ammunition. Prigozhin, who heads the notorious mercenary company, released a video at the same time as the military parade in Moscow on Victory Day. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin says that Russian forces are fleeing the fighting in Bakhmut. Photo: AP In the video, he says that the Russian state is unable to defend the country. Vladimir Putin said in his speech on Tuesday that Russia is under real attack. The Wagner boss has been in conflict with the Ministry of Defense, accusing them of not sending enough ammunition. – We should have received ammunition by now, but that has not happened, says Prigozhin. He also accuses Russian forces of fleeing the fighting in Bakhmut. Toned down celebration Parts of central Moscow are closed. It’s full of people waiting to catch a glimpse of armored vehicles and weapons as they drive out of Red Square and along Novij Arbat. Around the city, there is a visible focus on the Second World War. “9. mai” is written in red light letters on several buildings and there are a number of cultural events that are specifically about the Second World War. Over 100 theater performances have been staged in various places in Moscow, in addition to concerts and photo exhibitions dealing with the Second World War. Tatjana was one of the many present at Red Square in Moscow on Tuesday. Photo: Gro Holm/news – We should have gone stronger into Donbas and defended ours a long time ago when they didn’t let us speak Russian, says one of those present in Moscow to news. In reality, there has never been any ban on speaking Russian in Ukraine. But it was removed as administrative language. 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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Vladimir Putin spoke on subdued victory day – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
