Russia fighting for its 'historical lands': Putin

President Vladimir Putin said Russia was fighting for its "historical" lands in Ukraine, at a state-organised patriotic rally in Moscow in support of the Ukraine offensive.

"I just heard from the top military leadership of the country that a battle is ongoing right now, for our historical lands, for our people," Putin said.

In a short address to the tens of thousands gathered at Moscow's main Luzhniki stadium, Putin also praised Russian servicemen in Ukraine who are "fighting heroically, courageously, bravely: we are proud of them".

All those who supported the Russian army were "to a certain extent also a defender of the fatherland", he added.

"This includes healthcare workers, employees of the defence and transport sectors... and you all, who came today to support our fighters."

The audience, waving Russian flags, braved cold winter temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius, to come watch patriotic performances and speeches.

The concert, dubbed "Glory to the Defenders of the Fatherland", was held on the eve of the eponymous Russian public holiday, and two days before the anniversary of the Ukraine offensive on February 24.

Rock star Grigory Leps opened the show with a song in honour of Russia.

Putin, when he launched what he described as the special military operation in Ukraine, argued that the treatment of Russian speakers there was comparable with the actions of Nazi Germany.