Putin references Hitler and alludes to Wagner as he presents awards to Russian invaders
On the evening of 23 August, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin allegedly arrived in Kursk Oblast for an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Kursk. Standing in front of an orchestra [Wagner militants are referred to as "musicians" or "an orchestra" − ed.], he referenced Hitler and presented awards to Russian invaders fighting in the war against Ukraine.
Source: Kremlin website; Russian propaganda outlet RIA Novosti
Quote from Putin: "This was where Hitler planned to take revenge for [his defeat at] Stalingrad… But he was met with the iron resistance… of battle-hardened Red Army fighters…
Today, here on the legendary Kursk land, high state awards will be presented to our heroes, military personnel, participants in the special military operation [as the invaders call the war against Ukraine − ed.], who are worthy of the glory of the heroes of the Kursk Bulge, those who fought the Nazis in the summer of 1943."
Details: The Russian dictator went on to assure his audience that the Russian occupiers in Ukraine are supposedly "fighting boldly and decisively", and that all the invaders are supposedly united by "loyalty to the Motherland and loyalty to the military oath".
The Russian media reported that the event was held in the village of Ponyri in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine.
Background:
On the evening of 23 August, a small plane crashed in Tver Oblast, Russia. Rosaviatsiya [the Federal Air Transport Agency − ed.] said Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, was listed as having been on board.
The Russian media detected symbolism in the fact that the plane crash occurred on 23 August − exactly two months after the Wagner Group mutiny [Prigozhin announced his "march for justice" on the evening of 23 June − ed.], and in the fact that Putin was standing in front of an orchestra as he spoke at the event in Kursk Oblast.
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