Putin announces major speech on war anniversary exactly a year since recognising Donetsk & Luhansk as breakaway states

VLADIMIR Putin will make a major speech on the anniversary of the Ukraine war. The Russian leader will deliver his annual address to the federal assembly – a joint meeting of Russia’s two houses of parliament – on February 21, the Kremlin said on Friday. ReutersVladimir Putin will deliver the speech on February 21[/caption] The date marks exactly one year since Russia recognised two breakaway Ukrainian regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent states. It was a key step before Putin’s decision to launch a “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24 last year. The announcement comes after Russian forces unleashed 17 missiles on Ukraine in just one hour today as Putin appeared to launch his brutal all-out offensive. Air raid sirens blared across Ukraine for hours as Vlad’s troops blasted the country with a massive wave of drone and missile strikes. The bombardment is feared to be an effort by Putin to soften up Ukraine’s defences ahead of a massive ground attack to coincide with the first anniversary of the war on February 24. Moscow stepped up its attacks in Ukraine’s south and east, with Kyiv’s military intelligence agency confirming a new assault has begun in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.