MOSCOW — It was most likely essentially the most public celebration of warfare and violence that Russia has mounted since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine a 12 months in the past. Tens of hundreds of individuals gathered at Russia’s largest stadium for an occasion referred to as “Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland.”

Formally, the occasion was timed to coincide with a Russian vacation honoring veterans, however the rally got here two days earlier than the anniversary of the invasion and a day after President Vladimir V. Putin gave a 100-minute speech defending the warfare. Its major perform seemed to be to indicate that the Russian individuals assist the warfare, the military, and maybe most significantly, the president.

Aleksandr, 47, a lawyer from Moscow who declined to present his final identify, was waving a flag excessive up within the stands whereas a performer rapped concerning the Ukrainian territories Russia has illegally annexed. “I find it irresistible!” he stated. He added that he was absolutely behind the invasion. “I don’t perceive how can I not assist it.”

The extremely choreographed occasion, which some Russians attended from cities an eight hour’s drive from Moscow, additionally gave the impression to be a transparent acknowledgment that the warfare can be a part of Russian society for a very long time.

Although Mr. Putin continues to chorus from utilizing the time period warfare, Wednesday’s spectacle romanticized militarism and put destruction at its fore. Whereas performers sang, their faces and performances weren’t being proven on the screens all through the stadium. Moderately, spectators noticed movies of troopers preventing, firing heavy weapons and pictures of destroyed buildings.

The live performance, held in an open-air stadium in bitter 7 diploma climate, featured some new faces together with well-known pro-Kremlin musicians. Some carried out songs that had been composed because the begin of the invasion. First Lt. Nikolai Romanenko, who carried out in uniform, did a rap “remix” of a well-liked World Battle II tune “Katyusha. “

His modern lyrics included the strains: “I do know that we’ll undoubtedly win / And I’m not afraid to stain my arms in blood as much as the elbow / It is a warfare, and we didn’t begin it / However we are going to end / When? I’m unsure but.”

Different songs additionally targeted on the present warfare, together with a ballad concerning the “demons of Azovstal” — a reference to a metal plant in Mariupol the place Ukrainians made a doomed stand final summer time — and a rap about 4 Ukrainian territories that Mr. Putin introduced he was annexing illegally final 12 months — Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Tickets weren’t out there for buy however had been distributed largely to state staff and college students, who got the time off from work or research and supplied with transportation to and from the occasion.

A whole lot of buses from throughout western Russia had been parked within the car parking zone. Some college college students stated that they traveled for greater than eight hours every option to attend the live performance. A number of individuals from the Moscow area stated that they had been inspired by their employers to attend.

“Folks had been bused there, compelled to attend, now we have studies of that from a number of universities” stated Grigory Yudin, a political philosophy professor on the Moscow College of Social and Financial Sciences.

“Putin coerces individuals, lures them into collaborating, and these college students are promised free passes on exams,” he continued, saying that Mr. Putin’s technique of making an attempt to make Russians extra enthusiastic concerning the warfare whereas additionally depriving them of company was “schizophrenic.”

Mr. Putin, in very transient remarks, thanked those that had been assembled and inspired individuals to become involved within the warfare effort.

“Even youngsters who write letters to our fighters on the entrance are essential,” he stated. “All our persons are defenders of the fatherland. I bow lowly earlier than you.”

As quickly as he completed his remarks, a truncated model of Russia’s nationwide anthem performed. The live performance continued as individuals streamed out of their seats, keen to flee the chilly.