Tag: armoured
Putin’s armoured motorcade heads to Kremlin in early hours ahead of major national address a year after Ukraine invaded
VLADIMIR Putin’s armoured motorcade was spotted heading to Kremlin early in the morning just hours before his major address to the nation.
Footage shows the vehicle at 1 am local time heading to Moscow just before Mad Vlad is expected to deliver a speech to Russia’s federal assembly to mark the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin’s armoured motorcade heading to Kremlin[/caption]
The Russian leader is expected to address the nation on Tuesday[/caption]
Putin will deliver a speech to mark the anniversary of the invasion[/caption]
The dictator will update Russia’s elite and deliver a speech to members of both houses of parliament and to military commanders as well as soldiers.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television: “At such a crucial and very complicated juncture in our development, our lives, everyone is waiting for a message in the hope of hearing an assessment of what is happening, an assessment of the special military operation.”
Putin will also give his analysis of the international situation and outline his vision of Russia’s development after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on it, the Kremlin said.
The speech is due to begin at 9 GMT in central Moscow.
The Kremlin is also planning a celebratory concert at the Luzhniki Stadium the following day.
A source from Russia’s parliament confirmed to RIA Novosti that a rally event on February 22,is expected to be attended by 200,000 people, including Putin.
The date marks exactly one year since Russia recognised two breakaway Ukrainian regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent states.
It was a key step before Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year.
Putin cancelled his addresses to the nation in September and December – fuelling speculation about the dictator’s future.
In his last major speech, he spoke from Moscow’s Red Square as he celebrated breaking international law to annex four regions of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the world holds its breath ahead of the looming anniversary of the invasion amid fears of a new onslaught on Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow previously warned that diplomats are working on something to make sure events in the West are “not the only ones to gain the world’s attention“.
Russia is believed to be plotting an attack across two new fronts – pushing into eastern and southern Ukraine.
Ukrainian defenders are bracing for an assault that could include 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 400 fighter jets and 300 helicopters incoming from Russia – as well as 500,000 soldiers.
It comes as Ukraine warned Putin had put his nuclear forces on high alert in a bid to “blackmail” the West.
US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv for an unannounced summit while he was expected to be in Poland.
He met with Ukraine’s hero president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the two of them embraced near a memorial dedicated to dead Ukrainian servicemen.
The US President vowed Washington will stand with Kyiv for “as long as it takes.”
Santa-filled armoured truck gets stuck in Cornwall lane
Joe Biden CAN bring his armoured Beast limo to the Queen’s funeral – while other world leaders take the bus
JOE Biden CAN take his armoured Beast limo to the Queen’s funeral rather than catching the bus, it emerged last night.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Japan’s Emperor Natuhito and Israel’s President Herzog are also all likely to avoid the heads-of-state coach trip.
Joe Biden’s bombproof Beast limousine parked at Windsor Castle in June 2021[/caption]
The US President, 79, has confirmed he is going to the Queen’s funeral with First Lady Jill[/caption]
They will instead be allowed to take their own transport to Westminster Abbey next Monday.
The US President, for instance, can take his armoured Cadillac, known as the Beast, for security reasons.
His £1.5m behemoth weighs 11 tons, has eight-inch armour and can reportedly withstand a chemical attack.
A government source told The Times it would be inappropriate to ask G7 leaders to catch a shuttle bus, but added dignitaries have been asked to be flexible.
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Reports yesterday suggested the President and other world leaders would have to leave their cars at a location in West London before being shuttled to the funeral.
They would then be shuttled back after a reception following the funeral, leaked communications suggested.
Limos were reportedly banned under tight security. Leaders were also thought to have been asked to travel on commercial flights and banned from using helicopters.
It came after a no-fly zone was approved over the capital as authorities gear up for what is said to be the largest ever security operation in the UK.
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The leaked communication by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office revealed world leaders have been asked to travel on commercial flights where possible.
Anyone who insists on travelling by private jet must land at smaller airports because Heathrow will be unavailable.
Helicopter transfers between airports and venues are also reportedly banned due to the number of flights operating at the time.
Only leaders and their spouse or partner will be invited due to limited space and they will be forced to leave their private state vehicles behind.
Those who cannot attend can nominate another official to go on their behalf.
The FCDO said in its communication it “regrets that, because of limited space at the state funeral service and associated events, no other members of the principal guest’s family, staff or entourage may be admitted”.
One previous visits to Britain, US presidents have flown into Stansted airport on Air Force One.
They have then continued their journey on the Marine One chopper or bombproof “Beast” limousine accompanied by dozens of bodyguards.
Last year at the G7 summit in Cornwall, Mr Biden brought two giant limousines and 400 Secret Service agents.
The White House confirmed Mr Biden and First Lady Jill will attend the funeral next Monday.
King Charles III will host a reception for all overseas leaders at Buckingham Palace on the evening before the funeral, the document also revealed.
They can visit the Queen lying in state and sign a condolence book at Lancaster House afterwards.
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There they can also deliver tributes of up to three minutes which will be recorded for the media.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverley will be hosting their reception after the service.
The US President often travels in a huge motorcade with dozens of Secret Service agents, like Donald Trump here in New York in 2020[/caption]