Posted on 02/22/2023 8:22:45 PM PST by dennisw
Russian extras were recruited on social media platforms and offered money and free merchandise to pack out a patriotic stadium rally helmed by President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Wednesday, according to reports.
Putin, 70, praised troops who he said were defending the fatherland during the celebration at the Luzhniki Stadium, which was festooned with oversized Russian flags.
Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the defiant leader’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which he has continued to call a “special military operation” and repeatedly tried to blame the West for.
The festivities were attended by a crowd estimated to be around 200,000 people chanting “Russia, Russia” — however, it appears the horde of supporters was all smoke-and-mirrors.
According to the Russian-language news Telegram channel Sirena, ads seeking extras to attend the Defender of the Fatherland Day rally begun appearing on popular social media sites last week.
The recruiters were looking for “background actors, ideally under the age 35-40,” to show up at the stadium rally.
They were being offered 500 rubles, which is about $7, as well as free merchandise for their trouble.
A Sky News correspondent reporting from Moscow said state employees and students were also bussed in to the stadium to bolster attendance at the event.
“We came from university, we were told to come and we’re here,” a 23-year-old woman named Liuba told the outlet.
Putin, bundled up in a heavy winter jacket against the freezing temperatures, took the stage two hours into the concert and delivered a three-and-a-half minute speech, in which he hailed Moscow’s forces fighting in Ukraine.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Ukraine was part of Russia for centuries.
So, just because “Congress Poland” belonged to Russia, it should rejoin Russia?
I thought this was a Trump rally.
The difference is no one is paid to be at a Trump rally.
Can’t handle historical facts? Whether Ukraine should rejoin Russia, that’s between Russia and Ukraine...and has nothing to do with the United States.
That is Russian culture. They told me often how Americans smile too much. Once making fun of it.
You should stop assuming you know anything.
Hey, that is Barry 0bama’s move
How dare Putin
Putin appropriated 0bama’s signature move!
California was part of Mexico and Spain for centuries. Are you advocating its return?
US has national interests. Making Russia Great Again isn’t one of them. Right now Russia is threatening to nuke us. That’s between the US and Russia. And you want to surrender? So weak.
Stupid question, especially in this day and time. If only Spain would take back those two worthless pieces of land back, the rest of this country might be able to survive.
I'm more worried about what's going on with our borders to give a shit about the corrupt countries of Ukraine and Russia trying to destroy each other. I grew up in the 50's with the threat of nuclear war every day, drummed into my head. It's the same crap today being hyped by the media, and globalists here, and around the world today. There is no national security interest for us in Ukraine. It's nothing more than a money laundering plant, and black market for the money and weapons we are sending there. Plenty of people are getting rich because of the turmoil they created, and want to perpetuate, while we're getting poorer every day. Every dollar, and weapon that goes over there, makes this country even more unsafe, and unprotected. While your eyes are focused on what is going on in Ukraine, this country is being destroyed from within. We fought Russia and China in Vietnam, and where did that get us? This is nothing more than another Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, all rolled up into one. And you're welcome to it.
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