Putin vows victory in Ukraine, promises territory recovery ahead of elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia will emerge victorious in the war against Ukraine, vowing that the country will reclaim lost territories. The pronouncement came during a speech on the second day of the United Russia party congress in Moscow.

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In this moment, much depends on our unity, on the courage of Russian soldiers and officers, and on each person who works conscientiously at their place to contribute to victory.

"At this moment, much depends on our unity, on the courage of Russian soldiers and officers, and on each person who works conscientiously at their place to contribute to victory," Putin stated at the Arena Megasport. He emphasized his support for United Russia, calling it the nation's most experienced political force, just a month before parliamentary elections.

Putin and the party's leader, Dmitry Medvedev, both expressed strong confidence in Russia's ultimate triumph. Medvedev, who also serves as deputy chairman of the National Security Council, asserted, "Russia will regain more and more territory. Our brave army proves this countless times."

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Russia will regain more and more territory. Our brave army proves this countless times.

Medvedev further characterized Ukraine as a disintegrating "ghost state" that has already lost 20% of its territory and half its population, with millions fleeing as refugees. Despite facing unprecedented external pressure, he insisted Russia is progressing toward victory and that the West will fail to crush the nation. He also denounced Russians who have left the country and wished for their homeland's defeat as "traitors," stating such individuals should never be allowed to return.

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He described Ukraine as a "ghost state" on the verge of disappearing, which has already lost 20% of its territory and half of its population.

The legislative elections, scheduled for September 20, occur amidst declining popularity for Putin and the United Russia party, according to polls. Significantly, the elections will be held for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and will include voting in the regions Russia claims as its own: Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk. Voting in occupied Crimea has already taken place, though its legality is not recognized by Ukraine or Western nations.

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Medvedev also denounced as "traitors" those who left Russia and wished for the defeat of their homeland in the war.