Russia’s Putin Derides ‘Russophobia’ in Europe at World War Two Memorial

 Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a monument to civilians killed during World War Two, near the village of Zaitsevo, Leningrad region, on January 27, 2024, as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from Nazi blockade during WWII. (AFP)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a monument to civilians killed during World War Two, near the village of Zaitsevo, Leningrad region, on January 27, 2024, as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from Nazi blockade during WWII. (AFP)
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Russia’s Putin Derides ‘Russophobia’ in Europe at World War Two Memorial

 Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a monument to civilians killed during World War Two, near the village of Zaitsevo, Leningrad region, on January 27, 2024, as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from Nazi blockade during WWII. (AFP)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a monument to civilians killed during World War Two, near the village of Zaitsevo, Leningrad region, on January 27, 2024, as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Leningrad from Nazi blockade during WWII. (AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin castigated Europe on Saturday for "Russophobia" and criticized the Baltic States over human rights at the unveiling of a World War Two memorial.

Since he sent Russian troops into Ukraine nearly two years ago, Putin has been making comparisons with the fight against the Nazis in order to rally his nation.

"The regime in Kyiv exalts Hitler's accomplices, the SS men ... In a number of European countries, Russophobia is promoted as state policy," Putin said in the Leningrad region for the 80th anniversary of the end of the Nazi siege.

The Germans' aims then were to steal the Soviet Union's resources and eliminate its people, he said.

Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union and itself suffered devastation at the hands of Hitler's forces, rejects comparisons as spurious pretexts for a war of conquest.

In his speech, Putin also lambasted the Baltic States over human rights. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - ruled from Moscow during the Cold War but now members of the European Union and NATO military alliance - have been among the strongest critics of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"In the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are declared subhuman, deprived of their most basic rights, and subjected to persecution," Putin said, referring to migration crackdowns.

Moscow has repeatedly accused the Baltic nations of xenophobia and treating Russian minorities as "second-class".



Japan Airlines Hit by Cyberattack, Flights May be Impacted

Maintenance workers are seen atop of an airplane of Japan Airlines (JAL) at a hangar of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
Maintenance workers are seen atop of an airplane of Japan Airlines (JAL) at a hangar of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
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Japan Airlines Hit by Cyberattack, Flights May be Impacted

Maintenance workers are seen atop of an airplane of Japan Airlines (JAL) at a hangar of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
Maintenance workers are seen atop of an airplane of Japan Airlines (JAL) at a hangar of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

Japan Airlines (9201.T), said on Thursday it was hit by a cyberattack that may affect both domestic and international flights.

The attack began at 7:24 a.m. (2224 GMT) and affected the company's internal and external systems, it said on a post on X, Reuters reported.

A JAL spokesperson confirmed the attack but had no update on possible delays or cancellations at this moment.