Pictured: Aides were seen close to the dictator carrying two black bags
- Putin said in speech that Russia has an ‘answer’ to any country that threatened it
- Aides seen close to dictator carrying two black bags amid ramped up security
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia was being threatened by German tanks, like during World War Two, speaking at an event in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, marking the Soviet victory over Nazi forces in the city.
‘It’s unbelievable but true. We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks,’ Putin said, adding that Russia had an ‘answer’ to any country that threatened it.
Putin appeared to have brought his ‘nuclear football’ to Volgograd.
Aides were seen close to the dictator carrying two black bags.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech as he attends commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the battle of Stalingrad in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, once known as Stalingrad, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023
Observers believed one was a fold-up shield to protect Putin in the event of shooting, while the other is likely to contain Russia’s nuclear key.
A security officer carrying the ‘nuclear bag’ has been seen previously close to Putin during the war with Ukraine.
Russian officials and propagandists have threatened the West with nuclear strikes over their military support for Ukraine.
Putin laid flowers on the Mamayev Kurgan memorial and paid tribute to the memory of fallen Soviet soldiers.
The president also visited the grave of Soviet commander Marshal Vasily Chuikov.
Putin was seen in his official armour-plated Aurus limousine in a 25-vehicle entourage, including an ambulance and tight security.
A paranoid Putin has forced selected residents of Volgograd to quarantine as part of a huge security operation for his visit.
Snipers have been set in place in the city to protect the Russian President, who is due to speak at a memorial event later in the day, while locals were barred from getting too close to the leader, who has been plagued by reports of ill health.
The mammoth security operation indicated Russia’s fears that Putin could face an assassination attempt amid the war with Ukraine.
Locals were ordered to take time off work to keep them off the streets and Governor of the Volgograd Region, Andrey Bocharov, was also forced into nine days quarantine before coming into close proximity with Putin.
The Russian despot flew to Volgograd to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory over the Nazis in a battle that changed the course of World War Two.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad in World War Two, at the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex in Volgograd, Russia on February 2, 2023
The 1942-43 battle saw the Soviet Red Army, at a cost of over 1 million casualties, break the back of advancing German forces.
Putin laid a wreath at the eternal flame of the memorial complex to the fallen Red Army soldiers in Volgograd, the current name of the city, which stretches along the western bank of the Volga River. The memorial is dominated by a 279-ft sculpture of a sword-wielding woman, Europe’s tallest statue.
Putin was channelling the victory at Stalingrad for his own ends as his forces struggle to make headway in Ukraine.
Participants dressed in historical uniforms get ready for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of Red Army over Nazi Germany’s troops in the Battle of Stalingrad during World War Two, in Volgograd, Russia February 2, 2023
A ‘new siege of Stalingrad’ was put in place for Vladimir Putin’s visit to the city, now called Volgograd, amid intense fears over his security
The security services had a massive presence in the city and all but blocked internet traffic ahead of Putin’s visit while there has been a ban since last week on trucks moving around the city.
Thousands of people lined Volgograd’s streets on Thursday to watch a victory parade as planes flew overhead and modern and World War Two-era tanks and armoured vehicles trundled by.
Some of the modern vehicles had the letter ‘V’ painted on them, a symbol used by Russia’s forces in Ukraine.
Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, using the official characterization of the conflict that began nearly a year ago, said: ‘The achievement of our fathers and grandfathers, showing unprecedented heroism, valor and self-sacrifice during the defense of Stalingrad, still inspires our courageous soldiers who carry out responsible combat missions on the fields of the special military operation and defend the sovereignty, independence and security of our country.’
READ FULL ARTICLE:
Russia is ‘again’ threatened by German tanks, just like WWII, Putin declares | Daily Mail Online
REFERENCE:
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11705897/Putin-forces-residents-quarantine-ahead-visit-Stalingrad-anniversary-celebrations.html?ico=topics_pagination_desktop
- https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/russia-evokes-wwii-to-blast-eu-ahead-of-summit-in-kyiv/
By: Miss Cherry May Timbol – Independent Reporter
