said: “Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use.”
Power-mad Vlad crowed how Moscow had used advanced weapons systems, including Zircon hypersonic missiles, in battle.
Putin on verge of new land grab as breakaway Moldovan region bordering Ukraine begs Russia for ‘protection’
The US and key European allies this week said they had no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine, after France hinted at the possibility.
Earlier in the speech, the dictator hailed the “overwhelming support” of the Russian population for what he still calls the “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Before pausing for a moment of silence for what he called Russia’s “fallen heroes”, the tyrant claimed Moscow is fighting for its “freedom and independence”.
Turning away from war, the Russian president urged the people of Russia to “stop drinking, take up skiing”.
He also called on citizens to “devote most of their time to the family”.
After ranting for more than two hours, Putin finally wrapped up his speech by insisting: “We will realise all our dreams for Russia.”
Kremlin puppet spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin personally worked on the content of the speech and has “dozens of phone and face-to-face contacts” with officials.
It is the first time in several years Western journalists have been invited – but they have not been allowed in the hall itself.
At least 17 cinemas in Russia are screening the address free of charge and it is being aired on giant advertising screens in Moscow.
It comes as Putin is all but certain to be elected for a fifth time in March after two already brutal decades of his iron-fist rule.
The aging dictator has been in power since 1999 – and re-election would keep him in power until at least 2030.
As Putin continues to cement his power in Moscow, it is feared he is on the brink of another Hitler-style land grab as a breakaway region of Moldova has called on Russia for “protection.”