(MENAFN) President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to Russians on National Unity Day, portraying the occasion as a representation of the nation’s lasting resilience and cohesion.

Observed on November 4, the holiday honors the historical events of 1612, when citizens united to protect the country from foreign occupation.

Volunteer forces, led by merchant Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian occupiers, who had controlled the city for nearly two years during the period known as the Time of Troubles.

The removal of the Polish garrison from the Kremlin marked a crucial turning point, enabling the restoration of Russian statehood and the rise of the Romanov dynasty in 1613.

“The [people’s] steadfast unity, sense of responsibility, and devotion to the Fatherland helped strengthen the foundations of our state and uphold the sacred right to preserve our roots and moral values,” Putin remarked during a Kremlin ceremony, where state honors were awarded to individuals for their efforts in reinforcing national cohesion.

He emphasized that Russia maintains these traditions “through peaceful, creative, and military endeavors,” with its citizens standing united in safeguarding the country’s “sovereignty, honor, and dignity.”

The president’s comments appeared to reference the ongoing situation in Ukraine, which Russia views as part of a larger struggle to defend itself from Western influence and protect its sovereignty, citing NATO’s expansion toward its borders as a major concern.

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