President Putin says 'West was preparing to invade our land' in Victory Day address
Putin claims Russian soldiers are fighting for their Motherland in Ukraine's Donbas region
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a victory day speech that Russia's action in Ukraine was justified because the West was preparing to invade our nation, including Crimea.
Victory Day is Russia's most important event and a source of national pride, celebrated each year with a massive march of soldiers and military hardware across Red Square.
Russian President also said that the military and volunteers fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine are fighting for their Motherland.
“You are fighting for your Motherland, its future,” he told them, speaking at the annual parade, Al Jazeera quoted.
“The death of every soldier and the officer is painful for us,” he said. “The state will do everything to take care of these families.”
Since February 24, Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine, one of Europe's bloodiest battles since WWII, which President Vladimir Putin has hailed as a "special military operation."