Putin hails military operation in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the country’s “special operation” in Ukraine at a rally marking the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.

Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, which hosted the World Cup final in 2018, was packed for the rally, with patriot songs, and crowds waving Russian flags and shouting: “Russia! Russia! Russia!”

Images and video from the stadium and a sea of red, blue and white flags and banners, with one reading: “For Putin!”

Mr Putin gave a speech from a stage at the venue – after discussing Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine with his security council on Friday, RIA news agency cited the Kremlin as saying, Sky News reports.

He told the cheering thousands “we will implement all our plans”, insisting that the “main purpose” of the invasion of Ukraine is to “save people from suffering and genocide”.

He told supporters Russian soldiers are fighting “shoulder to shoulder” in Ukraine, adding: “We haven’t had such unity in such a long time.”

Russian TV suddenly cut away from the Russian leader and showed patriotic songs being played at the event.