"Putin Like a Father!"... Russia Holds Patriotic Rally on 1st Anniversary of Invasion

Putin Praises Soldiers as Patriots

Russia held a patriotic rally to mark the first anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, strengthening internal unity.

AFP reported on the 22nd (local time) that Russia held a concert titled "Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland" at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. This venue, which can accommodate 81,000 people, was filled with tens of thousands of crowds despite the minus 15 degrees Celsius temperature.

On the 22nd (local time), President Vladimir Putin is giving a speech at the "Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland" concert held at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
[Photo by TASS]

Concert participants waved flags and shouted "Putin, Russia" until just before the appearance of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some spectators even shouted that Putin felt like a father figure.

Ulyana, a 47-year-old lawyer attending the patriotic rally, told AFP in an interview, "What is happening now reminds me of the national unity consolidation during the 'Great Patriotic War' (the war between Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II)."

Later, President Putin appeared and said in his speech, "The soldiers fighting for the fatherland are patriots." He added, "I just heard from the military leadership that the battle for our historic territory and people is currently underway," and "Brave warriors are leading the war." He emphasized that everyone supporting the Russian military is a defender of the fatherland.

On the 22nd (local time), crowds waving the national flag and cheering at the "Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland" concert held at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Among the concert audience were children brought by the organizers from Donbas in eastern Ukraine, including Mariupol city in Donetsk Oblast. Also present was Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) appointed by Russia. He emphasized President Putin's claim by stating, "The West is an accomplice to the (Ukrainian) war crimes."

Meanwhile, on the first anniversary of the Ukraine war, pro-war events were held in some parts of Russia. The British newspaper The Times reported on the 17th that about 150 Russian residents held an event reminiscent of the group 'Ice Bucket Challenge.' Despite the severe cold of minus 20 degrees Celsius, those wearing swimsuits poured cold water over themselves, saying, "We came to support those who have taken brave actions in the name of the fatherland. We will show the unbreakable resilience of the Russian people."