Russian Communists Gather for Holiday

Russian communists gather near Red Square to mark "Defender of the Fatherland Day", a holiday that has traditionally been an occasion for military pomp and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism, with President Vladimir Putin earlier hailing the country's "heroes" fighting in Ukraine.

The holiday originally marks the first mass conscription following the Russian revolution, and the group, mostly draped in Soviet memorabilia, are equally quick to draw parallels between the Soviet Union's military victories and Moscow's ongoing offensive in Ukraine.

The United States announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia, a day ahead of the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian "heroes" fighting there.

Putin's message came on Russia's "Defender of the Fatherland Day", a holiday that is an occasion for military pomp and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism.

This year he was able to celebrate Russia's capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka last week and claim further advances along the frontline with Ukraine's troops.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal for swift delivery of air-defense systems and fighter jets, while European Union leaders pledged continued backing for Kyiv.

Ukraine has been weakened by the blocking of US aid and worsening ammunition shortages.

Zelensky made a fresh appeal for the weapons that western powers have already promised him.

"The most important thing is to unblock the sky," he told reporters in the western city of Lviv. "Air defense and future jets will help it."

For two years, Ukraine's forces have been fighting a bigger and richer army and that has taken a heavy toll.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen joined Zelensky in Lviv, as did US Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat.

Kyiv has taken confidence from continued successes on the Black Sea, where it says it has destroyed a third of Russia's Black Sea fleet -- 25 vessels.