3 years of Ukraine war: Putin praises 'main heroes' as Russia launches largest drone attack since invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a video message on Sunday pledging for greater support for military personnel and new weapons and equipment for the army. He lauded the soldiers fighting in Ukraine and said that they are “defending the future of Russia”. The special message was shared by Putin on Sunday, on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

In the special message, Putin said that Russian troops were “the main heroes of Defender of the Fatherland Day,” a reference to the Russian public holiday that honours the military achievements of the country. “Special words of congratulations to our soldiers and officers, participants of the special military operation. Today, risking their lives and showing courage, they resolutely defend their native land, national interests, and the future of Russia,” Putin said in his video.

In the video, the Russian leader constantly referred to the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation” since terms like “war” are illegal in the country and is subjected to arrest and prosecution . “It is you who are the main heroes of Defender of the Fatherland Day, which our entire country celebrates,” he added.

Putin also used his holiday to promise to strengthen and develop new weapon systems and equipment. “Today, as the world is changing impetuously, our strategic course for strengthening and developing the armed forces remains unchanged,” he said. “We will continue to build up the combat potential of the army and navy, and their combat effectiveness as the essential part of Russia’s security that guarantees its sovereign present and future, and its consistent development,” he added.

The Russian leader also presented medals to the soldiers who have fought in Ukraine, insisting that they were fighting for the “peace and future of our people”. Putin’s message came a day after Russia hit Ukraine with the largest drone attack since the start of the war.

Ukraine sees largest drone assault

On Saturday night, Ukraine faced the largest drone assault since the start of the war against Russia. Moscow launched a whopping 267 drones towards Ukraine out of which 138 were intercepted by the war-stricken nation’s air defence system. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that it was the single biggest drone strike since Moscow’s war began almost three years ago.

Ukraine’s Air Force Command said that out of the 267 drones, 119 were jammed without causing harm, Euro News reported. While most of the attack was repelled, emergency services said the overnight strikes caused fires and destruction. According to Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration, one of the cities impacted by the attack was the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia.

Fedorov said that a 53-year-old woman was injured in the attack and was now hospitalised. The strikes also damaged homes and cars in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district. One house caught fire, but emergency services quickly extinguished it, Fedorov said.