Russian President Vladimir Putin met with more than a dozen mothers of soldiers who are serving in Ukraine or have died during a war that began nine months ago with Moscow’s invasion in February.
Speaking to them ahead of Mother’s Day, observed in Russia on the last Sunday of November, Mr. Putin on Friday said their service and sacrifice during the “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine is not in vain.
“I would like you to know that I personally, and the whole leadership of the country, we share your pain,” he said, occasionally appearing out of breath in a meeting broadcast on Russian television.