Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a factory for the manufacture of military aircraft, where he inspected the latest products and developments that are added to conventional military aircraft. During Putin's tour of the factory, he said several things about the war with Ukraine.

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Edited by Alexander Yoxina
World news - Castle Journal reporter
March 15, 2023 - Moscow

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    Russian President Vladimir Putin said today, Tuesday, during a visit to the Ulan-Ude aircraft manufacturing facility, that Russia is engaged in an "existential battle in Ukraine."

"First, for us, the fighting being fought is a defense of our people who live in these lands [Donbas]. You know, we are a multi-ethnic country, and yet this is the Russian world," Putin added, speaking to the plant workers.

"The fighting is not just a fight for geopolitical gains, but rather a fight for the survival of the Russian state itself," added the Russian president, whose tours have decreased in the recent period.

Putin pointed out that "the enemy, which he used to call Russia's partner, has wanted for decades to break up Russia."

Putin said that Western countries "hoped to bring the Russian financial system and industries to their knees and destabilize the country after bringing thousands of people into the streets to protest," but that did not happen, noting that "the basic pillars of Russia's stability are much stronger than previously thought."

Putin believed that Western sanctions led to the transformation of the Russian economy into a future and stronger economy.