- Congratulates Russians on Day of Reunification of Donbass, Novorossiya with Russia, says residents of these historic regions had made their long-cherished dream a reality
Russian President Vladimir Putin has released a video rallying Russia behind his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “righteous battle”.
It comes after Donald Trump said last week that Ukraine has a chance at regaining territory in a major reversal of his previous position that Kyiv should give up land to bring an end to fighting.
Washington also said it was considering Kyiv’s request to obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles for strikes deep into Russia.
“Our fighters and commanders go on the attack, and the entire country, all of Russia, is waging this righteous battle and working hard,” Putin said in a video published on the Kremlin’s website.
“Together we are defending our love for the Motherland and the unity of our historical destiny, we are fighting and we are prevailing.”
Kyiv and its allies say the invasion is an unprovoked imperialistic attempt to grab land.
Russia controls nearly or 19%, of Ukraine, including Crimea, and a major chunk of territory in the east and southeast of the country, according to open source maps of the battlefield.
Congratulating the country’s citizens on the Day of Reunification of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions with Russia, Putin emphasizd the historical significance of the event.
“Friends, citizens of Russia, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this holiday – the Day of Reunification of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s republics, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions with our large, united country. Three years ago, in referendums held in Donbass and Novorossiya, millions of our compatriots freely and independently chose their future,” he said in a video message on the occasion of this date.
Putin pointed out that the residents of these historic regions had made their long-cherished dream a reality. “They fulfilled a dream cherished for many years and made a momentous, historic decision: to be with their Fatherland, with Russia, to return to their native family of which they had always been a part,” the head of state added.
He noted that the entire country is fighting a “battle” to defend this choice and uphold national interests, shared memory, and values.
From September 23 to 27, 2022, referendums on joining Russia were held in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions. The overwhelming majority of residents voted in favor of this step. On September 30, Putin and the heads of the regions signed agreements on the accession of these territories to Russia.
Written with additional reports from TASS, Sky News
