INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
snippets from Russia's military insurgency in Crimea flickered across the stadium's screens, accompanied by songs that celebrated the
success of Russia's military.A number of guest speakers, including RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
wearing orange-and-black St
George's ribbons in the shape of a Z, a new symbol of support for Russia's Armed Forces in the wake of the invasion.Putin's impassioned
broadcast of his speech came to an abrupt end as Russia 24, the channel broadcasting the event, switched to footage of a military band
suggested that event-goers were offered 500 rubles to show up to the event.Videos circulating on social media showed streams of people
as the atmosphere in Moscow remains tense amid the Kremlin's decision to launch a military operation in neighboring Ukraine that many
Russians have voiced opposition to.The event's strict guidelines also banned any symbols associated with Ukraine or the West, according to
an unconfirmed report by the Baza Telegram channel.Despite what appeared to be a festive mood in the crowd, a number of independent
closed his address by invoking naval commander Fyodor Ushakov, who is now the patron saint of Russia's nuclear bomber fleet."What a
coincidence that the special military operation should fall on [the commander's] birthday," the Russian president said, as onlookers whooped
