Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the sacrifices of the Soviet Union in World War II and tied that legacy to Russia’s current military operation. He was addressing a Victory Day parade in Moscow on Saturday.
Speaking at a military parade, Putin congratulated Russians on Victory Day, calling it the country’s “sacred, inspiring, and most important holiday,” according to the Kremlin.
Putin said Russia will continue to defend the “true history of the Great Patriotic War,” as he called it, and the memory of Soviet soldiers who helped defeat Nazi Germany.
“We will remember forever the heroism of the Soviet people,” Putin said. Their contribution made “the defeat of Nazism possible,” he added.
President Putin said Soviet soldiers suffered “colossal losses” and made major sacrifices for what he described as the freedom and dignity of European peoples.
He also pointed to June 22, 1941, when Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Putin said this year marks 85 years since the start of the Great Patriotic War.
The president accused Nazi Germany of seeking to seize Soviet resources, destroy Soviet culture and historical heritage, and commit genocide against the multinational Soviet people.
He said Soviet resistance was driven by patriotism, sacrifice, and what he described as the strength of the Russian character and the spirit of the Soviet people.
During the ceremony, Putin declared a minute of silence for those killed in battle, tortured under occupation or captivity, or who died of hunger in besieged Leningrad and other encircled cities and towns.
He then turned to Russia’s current war effort, saying the “extraordinary feat of the victorious generation” inspires soldiers carrying out the “special military operation.”
Putin said Russian forces are confronting “an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc.” He also claimed Russian troops are advancing.
He praised soldiers, engineers, scientists, factory workers, doctors, teachers, clergy, volunteers, entrepreneurs, and others, saying Russia’s strength depends on unity across the country.
“We have a common goal,” Putin said. “Everyone makes a personal contribution to victory. It is forged both on the battlefield and in the rear.”
Putin closed the speech by saying Russia’s cause is just and declaring: “Victory has always been and will always be ours.”
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