Putin holds rally as troops continue bombings

Russians filled the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Friday to hear President Vladimir Putin commemorate the annexation of Crimea. Local police claim more than 200,000 attended, but that number could not be confirmed. Putin took to the stage in front of a sign that read “For a world without Nazism,” repeating the Russian government’s claims that neo-Nazi Ukrainians were committing genocide in the Donbas region of Ukraine. He praised the Russian army for a unified fight and invoked Bible passages to argue that the conflict — which Russia calls a “special military operation” — is just.

Do Russians support the war? Rampant propaganda and limited access has made it difficult to assess what Russian citizens are being told about the military incursion in Ukraine. A BBC reporter said many people told him they were forced to attend by their employers. Human rights group OVD-Info reported that more than 15,000 people have been detained for anti-war actions in Russia since Feb. 24, including independent journalists. Gen. Frank McKenzie said at a Pentagon news conference Friday that Russian soldiers do not appear to be very engaged or motivated in their fight. Ukrainian officials also announced their forces have cut off all main routes for Russian troops to enter Kyiv.

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