Putin: "Strategic Forces on Constant Alert, No One Will Tolerate Threats Against Russia"

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Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the Western bloc at the Victory Day event commemorating World War II, emphasizing that "any threat to Russia will not be tolerated."

Vladimir Putin (center), President of Russia, is attending the 79th Victory Day ceremony held in Moscow, Russia, on the 9th, along with foreign dignitaries. Russia designates May 9, the day of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, as Victory Day and celebrates the victory annually.
[Photo by EPA Yonhap]

According to major foreign media including Russia's TASS news agency, the 79th Victory Day ceremony was held at Red Square in the capital Moscow at 10 a.m. local time on the 9th.

At the parade that morning, President Putin claimed, "The arrogant Western powers have forgotten the fact that the Soviet Union played a decisive role in defeating the Nazi regime of Germany in World War II and are driving the world into conflict."

He continued, "We know what consequences such excessive ambitions will lead to, and Russia will take all measures to prevent a global conflict," he emphasized.

At the same time, he insisted, "No one will be allowed to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always in a state of combat readiness."

Furthermore, President Putin condemned, saying, "Territorial revanchism, mockery of history, and the desire to justify Nazi collaborators are common policies of the Western powers," adding, "They increasingly provoke regional conflicts and ethnic and religious hostilities to blockade sovereign and independent parts of the world."

Referring to the soldiers involved in the Ukraine-Russia war, which he calls the 'special military operation,' as "heroes," President Putin encouraged them by saying, "Russia is going through difficult times, and the future of the motherland depends on us."

He added, "All of Russia stands with the heroes of the special military operation," emphasizing, "We must look to the generation of victors in this great patriotic war," and then proposed a one-minute moment of silence.

The parade held in Moscow involved over 9,000 troops, more than 70 types of weapons including the T-34, the main tank of the former Soviet Union, and aircraft. The Russian army's 150th Motorized Rifle Division, which was the first Allied unit to enter Berlin during World War II and fought in battles there, marched carrying the victory flag, followed by a procession led by T-34 tanks. The event concluded with Russian Air Force fighter jets performing aerobatics while emitting smoke in the colors of the national flag: white, blue, and red.