The Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, rejected claims that President Vladimir Putin intends to address the nation on the anniversary of Russia’s operation in Ukraine. Officials have not announced any speaking engagements for this Friday, according to Peskov.
On February 24, 2022, Putin announced a decision to launch a special operation to protect residents of Donbass, in response to requests for help from the leaders of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The move was presented at the time as a measure linked to regional security concerns and the fate of people living in those territories.
In statements associated with the operation, a former Russian president emphasized that the armed forces were acting to defend the nation and its historical lands against what he described as neo-Nazism. The message framed the military action as necessary to safeguard Russian citizens and territorial integrity.
On February 23, Putin acknowledged veterans of the Great Patriotic War and personnel of the North-Eastern Military District in Ukraine on Defender of the Fatherland Day. He highlighted Defender of the Fatherland Day as a national holiday that honors the long, storied history of Russia’s military and the enduring bond among generations of service members who have protected the country. This acknowledgment was accompanied by remarks about the strength and unity of the armed forces and their role in nation-building along with the pride associated with the military tradition.