Russia is fighting for its ‘historical lands’ in Ukraine, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that Russia was fighting for its “historical lands” in Ukraine, speaking at a state-organised rally in Moscow in support of the Ukraine conflict.

“I just heard from the top military leadership of the country that a battle is ongoing right now, for our historical lands, for our people,” Putin said.

In a short address to the tens of thousands gathered at Moscow’s main Luzhniki stadium, Putin also praised Russian servicemen in Ukraine, who he said were “fighting heroically, courageously, bravely: we are proud of them”.

Tens of thousands of people packed into Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, which has a capacity of 81,000, waving white, blue and red Russian flags and listening to patriotic songs before Putin arrived.

“They fight heroically, courageously, bravely. We are proud of them,” Putin said at the “Glory to Defenders of the Fatherland” event, held on the eve of Russia’s February 23 holiday celebrating those who serve in the armed forces.

 “Today they are supported by the whole country,” Putin said of Russian forces in Ukraine, adding he had just been updated by military chiefs on the situation at the front. “When we are together, we have no equal. To the unity of the Russian people.”