[ad_1]
AND Russia is invincible, Russian President Vladimir Putin said today in the modest commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, AFP reported. The party was held in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the traditional parade was overshadowed.
We know and are firmly convinced that we are invincible when we are united, Putin said in a short speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Kremlin wall. On this holy day, no massive events are planned for the Russians, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany, this year due to the new coronavirus epidemic, AFP adds. In his moderate speech, Putin did not directly mention the epidemic that forced him to abandon the great military parade, traditionally held in front of a group of foreign leaders and showing the recovered geopolitical power of Russia, AFP reported.
Russia ranks fifth in the world in number of confirmed infections with almost 188,000 cases. Portions of Putin’s speech hinted at the struggle in which Russians face a pandemic. “Our veterans have fought for their lives against death. And we will always learn from their example of unity and resistance,” Putin said.
He paid tribute to the 27 million Russians who died during World War II and to veterans. “They saved the homeland, the lives of future generations, they liberated Europe, they defended the world,” Putin said.
Shortly before that, Putin placed a wreath of red roses in front of the Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander’s Garden on Victory Day. Military helicopters, bombers, and fighter jets flew over Moscow during the service, the only demonstration of military equipment to date.
