Putin Addresses Pro-War Event At Luzhniki Stadium

Russia President Vladimir Putin has delivered an address at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow where tens of thousands of spectators are gathered for a concert to mark the 'Crimean Spring' (when Russia annexed Crimea).

• The address is highly unusual for the Russian president who had appeared in public only rarely since tensions with Ukraine escalated last year.
• Tass: 'The concert is dedicated to the eighth anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia.'
• The Russia state television broadcast reportedly cut out during Putin's speech.
• His speech at the Luzhniki follows a meeting of the Russian Security Council where according to Russia state news service RIA:
• 'Putin informed the members of the Security Council in detail about his numerous international telephone contacts. As stated by the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces strike only at military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops. With the support of the Russian military, the DPR and LPR groups are developing an offensive. But the occupation of Ukraine is out of the question, Putin stressed.'