The Pentagon is expected to hold a briefing on Tuesday as President Vladimir Putin declares the West has launched “a real war” against Russia, echoing a familiar refrain in scaled-down Victory Day celebrations that may reflect the weight it is bearing the Ukraine conflict. their strengths
Watch the briefing in the player above.
Putin’s remarks came just hours after Moscow fired its latest cruise missile barrage against targets in Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than 14 months ago. Ukrainian authorities said air defenses destroyed 23 of the 25 missiles launched.
The Russian leader has repeatedly tried to paint his invasion of Ukraine as necessary to defend against a Western threat. Kiev and its Western allies say they pose no such threat and that Moscow’s war is aimed at deterring Western influence in a country Russia considers part of its sphere of influence.
“Today civilization is once again at a decisive turning point,” Putin said at annual commemorations celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. “A real war has been unleashed against our homeland.”
Putin has often used patriotic rhetoric dating back to the previous war in an effort to rally his citizens and forces, and May 9 is one of the most important dates on the Russian political calendar. But this year’s celebrations were notably more subdued, at least in part due to security concerns after several drone strikes were reported in Russia.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
