Putin makes use of public vacation to laud patriotic emotions as help for troops in Ukraine

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin on Monday marked the Day of Russia nationwide vacation by lauding the nation’s patriotic custom as a help for troopers preventing in Ukraine.

“This public holiday marks the inseparability of centuries-old history, the greatness and glory of the Fatherland, affirms the unity of the multinational people, devotion to their country, a warm, sincere attitude towards their beloved Motherland,” he stated at a ceremony presenting state awards.

“Such keen feelings … in a difficult time for Russia, they unite our society even more strongly, serve as a reliable support for our heroes, the participants in the special military operation,” Putin stated, utilizing the Russian official terminology for the Ukraine battle.

The vacation comes amid intensifying counteroffensive operations by Ukraine in opposition to Russian forces that occupy about 20% of the nation. Ukrainian officers in latest days claimed to have regained management of some villages and to have made advances at some factors alongside the entrance line.

Although Russia has been extensively criticized for strikes on civilian targets together with condo buildings, Putin instructed recipients of the state awards that he was shocked by Ukraine attacking civilian areas.

“I can’t understand in any way why the enemy is striking residential areas. What for? Why? What is the point? (They are striking) clearly humanitarian facilities. What is the point of this? There is no military point, there is none,” he stated.

The Day of Russia marks Russia‘s declaration of sovereignty in 1990, when it was still part of the Soviet Union. As part of that declaration, Russia asserted that its own laws took precedence over Soviet legislation. The move is seen as marking the beginning of constitutional reform in Russia, which became independent in the USSR’s collapse in 1991.