Thousands of individuals gathered on Moscow’s Red Square on Monday roared when President Vladimir Putin appeared on a stage, a day after his victory in elections the place he stood unchallenged.
Putin hailed the “return” of Ukrainian territories to Russia throughout a live performance marking 10 years since his nation annexed Crimea — a step seen by many as a precursor to the 2022 full-scale offensive.
Russians had been referred to as throughout the elections to throw their weight behind the continuing army operation in Ukraine, solid as a present of help for Putin’s offensive.
“Any citizen who respects our country voted for Putin,” stated Elena, a 62-year-old economist in a vivid purple coat and matching lipstick.
She rejoiced at Putin’s “not at all surprising” win.
Victory will permit Putin to remain in energy longer than any Russian chief since Catherine the Great.
Ever since changing into president on the flip of the century, he has stamped out any real opposition.
He had run unchallenged within the elections, with solely loyalist candidates allowed on the poll.
His prime opponent, Alexei Navalny died in jail final month, which his allies blamed instantly on the Kremlin.
– ‘One large household’ –
But there was little doubt among the many Russians who flocked to the celebrations on Moscow’s Red Square, waving white-blue-red flags as artists adopted each other one stage.
“We’re just one big family, we share the same views, the same opinions, the same positivity,” stated Anastasia Kim, a 20-year-old pupil.
After a efficiency from rock band Lyube — stated to be a favorite of Putin’s — the Russian chief lastly got here on stage.
He hailed the annexation of Crimea, and of the 4 Ukrainian areas seized because the 2022 offensive.
“The return to their homeland turned out to be harder, more tragic, but nevertheless, we did it,” Putin stated.
Russia claims to have annexed 4 areas of Ukraine — Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzia — with out totally controlling them.
It declared the 4 areas as Russian after referendums held amid ongoing fight, broadly denounced as shams by Kyiv and Western nations.
Kim pushed again on criticism from the West, which has shut out Russia over the offensive in Ukraine.
“You don’t understand Russia, you don’t understand anything, because in Russia there is life, we only bring peace,” she stated.
– ‘Everything will get higher’ –
Other live performance attendees shared their feelings over Russian troopers killed in motion.
Olga Malanushenko, 48, began crying for fallen troopers who “would not see this world again”.
Both Kyiv and Moscow have shrouded their army losses in secrecy.
The UN’s human rights workplace has additionally acknowledged that the civilian toll is significantly increased than the roughly 10,000 folks it had confirmed lifeless.
And Russia has been hit by a flurry of sanctions from the West, aiming to cripple the economic system.
Viktoria, who got here to the live performance “to support the homeland”, remained optimistic.
Putin “is the foundation of the country, I trust him… It’s only going to get better and better,” she informed AFP.
Source: www.anews.com.tr