Putin thanked residents of new regions for maintaining love for the Fatherland

The Kremlin published video message President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the anniversary of the annexation of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. The head of state called the annexation of the regions “a conscious, long-awaited, hard-won and truly popular decision.”

“Millions of residents of Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions have made their choice – to be with their Fatherland. <...> I would like to especially address the residents of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. Thank you for the fact that, despite all the trials, you preserved and passed on your love for the Fatherland to your children. Thanks to you, your firmness and determination, Russia has become even stronger,” said Mr. Putin.

The President of the Russian Federation believes that Russians supported the results of referendums on the annexation of new territories. In his opinion, the people of Russia understood that “by defending our compatriots in the Donbass and Novorossiya, we are defending Russia itself, together we are fighting for the Motherland, for our sovereignty, spiritual values ​​and unity, for victory.” Mr. Putin also accused Kiev and “their Western patrons” of trying to intimidate the residents of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, taking away their culture, traditions and native language, and also that they “unleashed a full-scale civil war , terror against dissidents, organized a blockade, constant shelling and punitive actions in the Donbass.”

The DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions were annexed by Russia on September 30, 2022 during a military operation in Ukraine. Parts of the territories of these regions remain under the control of Ukrainian troops, including the cities of Kherson and Zaporozhye.

Leonid Uvarchev