• Russian state TV cut away from Putin while he spoke at a massive pro-war rally in Moscow.
  • Putin used the occasion to justify Russia's war in Ukraine, saying he will "accomplish" his plans.
  • A Kremlin spokesperson said the feed cut because of technical issues, Reuters reported. 

Russian state TV cut away from President Vladimir Putin while he spoke about the invasion of Ukraine at a massive pro-war rally in Moscow on Friday.

While he was in the middle of addressing the crowd, a video shows the TV feed cutting from Putin's speech to a musical performance — and the Russian leader is nowhere to be seen.   

A Kremlin spokesperson told Reuters the feed cut because of technical issues, and that Putin later appeared back on the feed. 

Putin spoke at the Luzhniki Stadium to mark the eighth anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea and used the occasion to justify Russia's attack on Ukraine. 

Videos of the occasion show Russians waving flags and cheering.

Financial Times journalist Max Seddon said on Twitter that there were reports saying state employees had been bused in for the event.   

Meduza editor Kevin Rothrock also shared a video on Twitter, which he said showed people leaving the stadium before the event started.

 

According to Reuters, Putin told the crowd that Russia will be successful in the ongoing invasion into Ukraine.

"We know what we need to do, how to do it and at what cost. And we will absolutely accomplish all of our plans," Putin said, according to the report. 

Putin once again used the term "special military operation," which he used in his February 24 televised war declaration against Ukraine, and said it was helping to unify Russia. 

"Shoulder to shoulder, they help each other, support each other and when needed they shield each other from bullets with their bodies like brothers. Such unity we have not had for a long time," he said.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has now passed the three-week mark, appears to have stalled on all fronts as Putin's forces struggle to break Ukraine's resistance. 

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