Putin Speaks of 'Destruction' of Russia in Victory Day Speech

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of provoking conflict during a combative Victory Day speech marking the Soviet role in the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II amid the backdrop of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Putin told the crowd assembled in Moscow's Red Square on Tuesday that all of Russia was behind what he calls the "special military operation" in Ukraine.

"A real war has once again been unleashed against our Motherland. But we have repulsed international terrorism, we will also protect the inhabitants of Donbas [in eastern Ukraine], we will ensure our security," Putin said. He said the West's goal was "to achieve the collapse and destruction of our country."

He was speaking days after what Moscow has described as a drone attack, carried out by Kyiv with the help of the U.S, that targeted the Kremlin residence and was aimed at assassinating Putin. Ukraine has denied involvement.

He described how "civilization is once again at a decisive turning point," and he attacked "Western globalist elites" who "split societies, provoke bloody conflicts."

He compared what Victory Day celebrates, namely the defeat of Nazi Germany, to the war he started in Ukraine.

He said that a "real cult of the Nazis is being created," in reference to one of his justifications for the invasion as being to "denazify" Ukraine, which has been roundly rejected by Kyiv and the international community.

"We are proud of the participants in the special military operation, everyone who fights on the front lines," Putin said. "There is no more important thing now than your combat work. The security of the country rests on you today."

Putin was joined on the Red Square by foreign leaders from former Soviet countries, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. More than 500 Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine were present at the parade, according to state media.

Victory Day celebrations across the country have reportedly been somewhat muted this year, after the cancellation of events in other cities over security concerns. Before delivering his speech, Putin walked from the Kremlin to the Red Square where ranks of military personnel were massed. During his speech, he introduced a minute's silence.

Afterwards, there was a military parade across the Red Square involving thousands of Russian troops while equipment was displayed. This included Russia's Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and the S-400 surface-to-air missile system. Unlike in previous years, there was no military flypast, The Moscow Times reported.

Update 05/09/23, 5: a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a further information.