Warmongering Russian President Vladimir Putin bragged over the weekend that Russia carried out a ‘preventative’ strike on Ukraine and defended his war during a Victory Day speech.
Putin, whose health has been at the centre of persistent rumours, gave a speech at the annual military parade, which signified the defeat of Nazi Germany.
The bullish Kremlin leader tried to justify his invasion of his neighbouring country by claiming the safety of Russia was at risk.
He told the huge audience that the devastating intervention in Ukraine had been necessary because the West was “preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea”.
Speaking directly to troops, the Putin said: “You’re fighting for our people in Donbas, for the security of our motherland, Russia.”
The Russian President continued: “We’re proud of the generation of victors, and our duty is to preserve the memory of those who defeated Nazism.”
He said the “horror of an international war” should not be repeated, report Mirror Online.
Putin’s 11-minute speech didn’t mention any progress he’s made in the war and offered no indication of when he thinks it would end.
He told Russians he will never give up his love of his Motherland as he claimed the West was preparing for the invasion of Russia.
Putin claimed that an “aggression” was planned against Russia and alleged that Kyiv was creating an “unacceptable threat”, repeating the lie about Nazism in Ukraine.
Putin, who has suffered heavy troops losses, also told those in the Red Square that the Kremlin “will do everything to take care of these families” of soldiers who have died fighting.
This year the display of military strength has taken on added significance due to his brutal invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Due to relentless propaganda in state media, most Russians are unaware of the disastrous losses their armed forces are taking, or the litany of war crimes they are accused of.
Experts have not known what to expect from Putin, with some suggesting he would use the platform to issue a “doomsday” warning to the West.
Insiders previously speculated Putin would use the occasion to declare all-out war on Ukraine, allowing for mass mobilisation of the Russian population to make up for military losses.
His efforts to drum up support for the campaign are in stark contrast to the disaster his forces have unleashed.
Putin’s speech - his first major televised address since March 18 - comes amid further defiance from Ukraine’s leader, who issued a statement also marking the 77th anniversary of victory in Europe.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said today his country was fighting for a new victory and would win its war with Russia.
“The road to it is difficult, but we have no doubt that we will win,” he said in a statement.
The Russian President, in charge since 1999, has in recent years used Victory Day to needle the West from a tribune in Moscow’s Red Square before a parade of troops, tanks, rockets and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This year, a fly-past over the nine domes of St Basil’s Cathedral includes supersonic fighters, strategic bombers and, for the first time since 2010, the Il-80 “doomsday” command plane, which would carry Russia’s top brass in the event of a nuclear war.
For the first time in years, no foreign leaders have been invited to the parade.
Russia has been expected to further escalate attacks on Ukraine in the build-up to today.
In a statement at the weekend US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Ukrainian people “embody the spirit of those who prevailed during the Second World War”.
He continued to accuse Putin of attempting to “twist history to attempt to justify his unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine”.
In a statement marking 77 years since the Allied victory in Europe, Mr Blinken said: “As war again rages in Europe, we must increase our resolve to resist those who now seek to manipulate historical memory in order to advance their own ambitions.”
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