He’s rattling his “nuclear saber.” Putin spoke on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the invasion: what he said
23 February 17:40
The Russian Federation marks the fourth anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine with statements about increasing the combat readiness of its nuclear forces. Putin also emphasizes to Russians their “sacred duty.” The Kremlin dictator made his statements in a video address on the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia, which is celebrated there on February 23, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Dictator Vladimir Putin said that Russia will continue to build up its military potential on a large scale and called on society to engage in total militarization. Russian leader Vladimir Putin once again resorted to nuclear blackmail, calling the modernization of the “triad” a priority for the Kremlin. While global nuclear deterrence treaties are not in force, Russia is preparing its army and society for a long war.
After the expiration of the New START treaty on strategic offensive weapons between Russia and the United States, Putin emphasized the importance of Russian nuclear forces
“The development of the nuclear triad, which guarantees Russia’s security and ensures effective strategic deterrence and balance of power in the world, remains an absolute priority,” the dictator said in his address.
In the same speech, Putin announced his intention to continue to significantly strengthen Russia’s military potential and called on society to fully militarize.
According to him, there are plans to systematically strengthen the capabilities of all branches of the Russian Armed Forces, with a particular focus on modernization and the development of new weapons. The Kremlin leader also promised to increase the army’s combat readiness and the military’s ability to operate in “the most difficult conditions.”
In general, the Russian leader’s speech was devoid of any hints of a peaceful settlement and was aimed at ideologically pumping Russians with ideas of war, militarism, and opposition to other states.
The leader of the occupying country called Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine “true patriots” and “the backbone of the state,” glorifying the participants in the war and turning them into a new social elite. In addition, Putin declared 2026 the “year of unity of the peoples of Russia” around a “sacred duty.”
