MOSCOW, Feb 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that God and fate had entrusted him and his army with "the mission" to defend Russia, at a ceremony to award military decorations.

"Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. A mission as difficult as it is honourable -- defending Russia -- has been placed on our and your shoulders together," he told servicemen who fought in Ukraine on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's offensive.