Putin holds rally in Moscow, praises Russian troops as Ukraine fights back invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin used a rally before a packed soccer stadium on Friday to justify the invasion of Ukraine, promising tens of thousands of people waving Russian flags that all the Kremlin's aims would be achieved.

"We know what we need to do, how to do it and at what cost. And we will absolutely accomplish all of our plans," Putin told a rally at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in an invasion onFeb. 24. Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to force it to withdraw its forces.

Putin, who recently condemned what he called "scum" and "traitors" in Russia,said the soldiers fighting in what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine had illustrated the unity of his country.

• What questions do you have about Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Send an email to ask@cbc.ca

"Shoulder to shoulder, they help each other, support each other and when needed they shield each other from bullets with their bodies like brothers. Such unity we have not had for a long time," he said.

As Putin was talking, state television briefly cut away from his speech and showed earlier pre-recorded footage of patriotic songs, but the Kremlin chief later appeared back on state television.

RIA news agency cited Kremlin spokespersonDmitry Peskov as saying a technical fault on a server was the reason state television had suddenly cut away from Putin.

WATCH |Russians who oppose the war flee abroad:

Russians who oppose the war flee abroad

3 years ago

Duration 2:36

Russians are choosing to leave their country over feelings of disgust, guilt and outrage about the war in Ukraine. Its drawing the ire of President Vladimir Putin, who called Russians opposed to the invasion, scum and traitors.

Putin says the operation in Ukraine was necessary because the United States was using the country to threaten Russia and Russia had to defend against the "genocide" of Russian-speaking people by Ukraine.

Ukraine says it is fighting for its existence and that Putin's claims of genocide are nonsense. The West says claims it wants to rip Russia apart are fiction.

The stage where Putin spoke was decked out with slogans "For a world without Nazism" and "For our president," using the "Z" markings used in the military operation in Ukraine.

Before Putin spoke, Russia's national anthem, with the words "Russia is our sacred state" boomed out across the stands of the stadium used in the 2018 Soccer World Cup.

WATCH |Drone video of damage after Russian missile shot down over Kyiv:

Drone video of damage after Russian missile shot down over Kyiv

3 years ago

Duration 0:44

Video shows the damage to residential buildings in Kyiv after a Russian missile was shot down by Ukrainian forces.

Russia has been facing increasing sanctions and diplomatic blowbackfrom Western nations as it ramps up its invasion on Ukraine. Cities, including areas around the capital city Kyiv, have faced shelling and stepped-up attacksfrom Russian forces.

In the south, the strategic city of Mariupol has seen devastating Russian attacks.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyon Friday said rescue work was ongoing at the site of a bombed theatre in Mariupol city from where 130 people have so far been recovered alive.

In an online address, Zelensky said shelling by Russian forces continued to prevent the authorities from establishing effective humanitarian corridors to the encircled port city in southern Ukraine.

Russian embassy staff expelled

Three Baltic countries have ordered the expulsion of Russian embassy staff members in a co-ordinated action taken in solidarity with Ukraine.

Lithuania's foreign ministry said on Friday that four Russian embassy staff are no longer welcome in the country, while in neighbouring Latvia, three Russian staff were declared persona non grata.Estonia also announced on Friday that it was ordering three staff of the Russian Embassy in the capital Tallinn to leave the country.

Bulgaria also said it has declared 10 Russian diplomats "persona non grata" and demanded their expulsion. In a statement on Friday, Bulgaria's foreign ministry said that Bulgaria's Prime Minister Kiril Petkov had been consulted on the expulsions.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indicated that her country should consider imposing an oil embargo on Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. In a security policy speech Friday, she said it was important to take a stance and not remain silent due to economic or energy dependency.

"Even if it's difficult, including on questions now with regard to oil or other embargoes," said Baerbock.

WATCH |Russian celebrities, athletes under pressureto denounce war in Ukraine:

Russian celebrities, athletes pressured to denounce war in Ukraine

3 years ago

Duration 2:08

There are calls for more Russian celebrities and athletes to speak out against Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine, despite the threat of a new law passed by the Kremlin that would see Russians spreading what it calls fake news jailed for up to 15 years.