'Real War' Unleashed on Russia, Putin Says in Victory Day Address

Facts

• Marking the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II in Russia's annual Victory Day parade, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Tuesday attempted to evoke the conflict in connection to the war in Ukraine, telling his nation that "a real war" has been unleashed against Russia by the West's "untamed ambitions."¹
• Speaking from Moscow's Red Square, Putin said: "Today, civilization is once again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against our motherland."¹
• Putin thanked Russian soldiers for fighting in Ukraine, stating: "We are proud of the participants of the special military operation. The future of our people depends on you." He continued, saying: "The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country."²
• Despite the defiant tone, Putin, at times in the speech, called for reconciliation with the West. He drew upon the shared experience of fighting the Nazis in WWII, stating: "The memory of our defenders of the motherland is sacred in our hearts." The president said Moscow honored "members of the resistance who fought Nazis, soldiers of allied armies of the US, Britain and other countries," and that it also remembered and honored "the memory of Chinese soldiers in their battle against Japanese militarism."³
• The comments were made at a comparatively scaled-back version of the Victory Day parade which saw only one tank on display in Red Square — previous years' parades have included tens of the vehicles. Notably, the event did not include a flypast — no explanation was given for its cancelation.³
• Hours before the address, Russia launched a renewed volley of missile attacks into Ukraine — the second night of attacks in as many days. Ukraine's military commander-in-chief, Valeriy Zaluzhny, said Russia fired 25 missiles, 23 of which were shot down. The two that penetrated reportedly struck the central region of Cherkasky, but there were no reports of civilian casualties. One civilian was reported injured from falling missile debris in the Dnipropetrovsk region.⁴

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Guardian, ³CNN, and ⁴UKRINFORM.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. Putin's Victory Day speech saw him continue to falsely claim that Russia is somehow the victim of this war in Ukraine, rather than its initiator. This weak address was a careful attempt to rally support at home for a failing invasion.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Ever since the 2014 Western-backed coup in Ukraine, Western countries have mercilessly proceeded with arrogant and exorbitant plans to bring down Russia by militarizing Kyiv. This strategic aggression is the real cause of the tragic events currently taking place in Ukraine, which are forcing Russia into a defensive position.

Predictions