A Victory Day parade marking the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Victory in the Second World War was held in Moscow’s Red Square. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an annual speech at the parade.
“Right now, in these very days, you are fighting for our people in Donbass,” Putin addressed the troops. “For the safety of our motherland, Russia.”
The Russian leader stated that Russia had offered NATO security guarantees in December, however, the military bloc rejected them. “They were openly preparing for another punitive operation in Donbass, for an invasion of our historical lands, including Crimea. Kyiv made statements on the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons. NATO started active military exploration of our neighbouring lands,” Putin said.
According to Putin, a threat was steadily building up near the Russian borders. “NATO states did not want to hear us, which means that they actually had other plans, and we can see this now,” the president said.
The president stressed that Russia had “provided a preemptive rebuff to aggression,” noting that “it was a forced and timely decision, as well as the only correct one.”
The president addressed the Russian army and “the Donbass militia.” “You are fighting for our motherland,” Putin reiterated.
“Today, the Donbass militia, together with the soldiers of the Army of Russia, are fighting on their land,
where the men of Svyatoslav and Vladimir Monomakh, soldiers of Rumyantsev and Potemkin, Suvorov and Brusilov routed the enemy, where heroes of the Great Patriotic War Nikolai Vatutin, Sidor Kovpak and Lyudmila Pavlichenko fought to the bitter end,” Putin said, listing off historical figures of the Kyivan Rus, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.
“I would like to address our Armed Forces and the Donbass militia. You are fighting for the motherland, for its future, to make sure that no one forgets the lessons of the Second World War. To make sure that there is no place for executioners, punishers and Nazis,” Putin said.
After observing a moment of silence, Vladimir Putin stressed that the death of every soldier and officer is “a great sorrow” for all Russians and a major loss for their families and loved ones. The president vowed to provide “special support” for the children of the injured or deceased military officers. The leader noted that soldiers who fought in Ukraine are currently taking part in the parade.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu saluted the troops at the parade. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Patriarch Kirill were seen in the stands.
A total of 11,000 troops and 131 army vehicles took part in the parade. The airborne part of the parade was cancelled due to weather conditions. No foreign leaders were invited to attend the parade.
In his speech, Putin did not declare martial law, nor did he announce military mobilisation. Earlier, several foreign media outlets reported, citing their sources, that mass mobilisation could be announced during the parade.