Defend The Motherland, Putin Urges Troops During His Victory Day Speech

The Russian leader shakes hands with veterans prior to the military parade in Moscow yesterday

- Emily Atkinson

Russian president Vladimir Putin yesterday urged his army towards victory in Ukraine, telling his forces they are fighting to defend “the motherland”. Addressing the annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow's Red Square, Mr Putin repeated his argument that Nato was creating threats on Russia's borders in justification for his invasion.

In a direct address to troops fighting in the Donbas region, which Moscow has pledged to “liberate” from Kyiv, he said: “Defending the motherland when its fate is being decided has always been sacred. Today you are fighting for our people in Donbas, for the security of Russia, our homeland.”

Despite having been touted as a potential venue for Mr Putin to offer an update on Russia's military operation in Ukraine, his 11minute speech offered no such mention. Previously, experts thought the celebration, centred around the grand military parade and flypast, could have been used by the president to proclaim victory in Ukraine.

Western officials also warned that Mr Putin could have used the 9 May to officially declare war on Ukraine to quell the alleged outrage felt by Russia's military over the failures of its assault on the country.

If Mr Putin were to declare war on his neighbour, Moscow would be able to draft in more conscripts - which could also be kept for longer than the usual year-long term - impose martial law and make bids for increased support from its international allies, such as Belarus.