The president walked from the Kremlin to Red Square to be greeted by ranks of military personnel at the start of celebrations to mark the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Putin told Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine that the “whole country is praying for them”, as he used his Victory Day speech to defend his invasion of Ukraine.
Putin drew parallels between the second world war and fighting in Ukraine. “Today, civilisation is again at a decisive, turning point, a real war has been unleashed against us again," he said in a speech laced with anger. "We are proud of the participants of the special military operation. The future of our people depends on you."
Putin accused the west of "destroying traditional values" and propagandising a "system of robbery and violence". "The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country," he said.
This story is from the May 12, 2023 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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This story is from the May 12, 2023 edition of The Guardian Weekly.
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