Vladimir Putin believes that “the future of Russia” is at stake in the conflict

Vladimir Putin promised the “victoire” of his troops in Ukraine on Tuesday, May 9, during a speech delivered on the occasion of the commemorations of his country’s victory against Nazi Germany. “Civilization is again at a turning point. A war has been launched against our homeland“, asserted the Russian president from the emblematic Red square in Moscow, a little more than a year after he announced the invasion of Ukraine. He spoke in front of thousands of soldiers, the elite Russian politician and a handful of leaders of former Soviet republics.

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“Nothing is more important now than your military task. The security of the country today rests on you, the future of our state and our people depends on you”, he added, addressing the Russian armed forces. He also accused Americans and Europeans of using Ukraine to achieve “the fall and destruction of (his country”. His speech was followed by the traditional parade of thousands of men and tanks, before he laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

On the ground, after 15 months of offensive, the Russian army appears weakened by the losses and the tensions between the staff and the mercenaries of Wagner. The leader of the Russian paramilitary group chose the highly symbolic date of May 9 to accuse the military hierarchy of“plot” and for failing to keep its promise to deliver ammunition. Yevgeny Prigojine also claimed that regular army units were fleeing the battlefield in Bakhmout.