Putin hails ‘special operation’ in Ukraine at massive celebration party for ‘reunification’ of Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the country’s “special operation” in Ukraine at a rally marking the anniversary of the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, which hosted the World Cup final in 2018, was packed for the rally, with patriot songs, and crowds waving Russian flags and shouting: “Russia! Russia! Russia!”

Images and video from the stadium showed a sea of red, blue and white flags and banners, with one reading: “For Putin!”

Thousands at rally cheer on president

Mr Putin gave a speech from a stage at the venue – after discussing Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine with his security council on Friday, RIA news agency cited the Kremlin as saying.

He told the cheering thousands “we will implement all our plans”, insisting that the “main purpose” of the invasion of Ukraine is to “save people from suffering and genocide”.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/putin-hails-special-operation-in-ukraine-at-massive-celebration-party-for-reunification-of-crimea-12569331