Vladimir Putin used his Victory Day speech this year to warn that Russia’s combat forces were “always ready”.
Every year, Moscow wraps itself in patriotic pageantry for Victory Day, a celebration of its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Today marks the 79th anniversary and Mr Putin addressed the parade in the Red Square, trying to talk up his country’s military capabilities in a speech aimed as much at the foreign audience as a domestic one.
During this year’s speech, Mr Putin said his country would “never forget” the Second World War and that Russia was going through a “difficult period” as the “future of the motherland depends on us”.
“Today on Victory Day we are conscious of that even more acutely,” he said before warning: “Our strategic forces are always combat ready.”
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What is Russia’s Victory Day?
Image: Pic: Reuters
Image: Pic: Reuters
Image: The parade marks the 79th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany. Pic: Reuters
Mr Putin claimed the history of the Second World War was being distorted and used the speech to send a message to the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, trying to bolster their morale as the war continues to drag on.
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He finished on: “Glory to the armed forces, to Russia, to victory.”
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Source : Sky News
