Support Rallies Across Russia One Year Before War... Putin's State of the Nation Address on the 21st

Large-scale Vehicle Gatherings and Concerts

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] As the one-year mark approaches since the start of the Ukraine special military operation, large-scale events supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military carrying out the mission are being held across Russia.

On the 19th, Russian media reported that the next day, an event to form a large letter 'Z' with cars will be held in the parking lot of a sports center in Ufa, the capital of the Bashkir Republic in southern Russia. The letter Z is recognized as a symbol supporting the Ukraine special military operation.

The Ufa city authorities are currently accepting applications from citizens to participate in the event via email.

The previous day, in two cities in Russia's Far East Sakhalin region?Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital, and nearby Korsakov?an event was held to support the special military operation, attended by about 3,000 people including sports and youth organization officials and residents.

Participants expressed gratitude to the residents of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands who were deployed to the Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts) in eastern Ukraine to carry out combat missions. They also wrote letters to their own soldiers.

A convoy of 1,252 cars adorned with Russian flags and banners featuring the letter Z moved in a line from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Pushist Airport in Korsakov.

On the same day, in Oryol Oblast in central-western Russia, a vehicle rally was held supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin, who decided on the Ukraine special military operation, and the soldiers participating in the operation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 17th, in the Lyubertsy area of Moscow Oblast, a large-scale concert was held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine special military operation, attended by about 3,000 people including veterans, representatives of local organizations, and residents.

Vladimir Volkov, mayor of Lyubertsy, said in his speech, "Together we can win," and added, "I sincerely thank those who help our military and provide humanitarian aid to the residents of Donbas."

On the 16th, in Blagoveshchensk, the capital of Amur Oblast in Russia's Far East, despite subzero temperatures, 145 residents wearing swimsuits gathered in a square to support the special military operation by pouring cold water over themselves.

As the one-year anniversary of Russia's Ukraine special military operation approaches, voices calling for unity among the Russian people are also continuing locally.

Maxim Yegorov, governor of Tambov Oblast, stated, "Our soldiers are risking their lives for peace," and added, "We must let them know that we are proud of them. Victory is ours."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to deliver his annual address to the Federal Assembly on the 21st, focusing on the Ukraine special military operation as well as economic and social issues.

The last time he delivered the annual address to the Federal Assembly was in April 2021. It was not held last year due to the Ukraine crisis that began on February 24.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.