VIDEO: I Am Russian, But... Vladimir Putin on a Lak Ethnic Soldier

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a speech addressing Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov, a soldier of Lak ethnicity. He referred to Gadzhimagomedov's actions as a heroic feat, noting that although he himself is ethnically Russian, when he sees examples of such heroism, like that of the Dagestani, the feats of other soldiers, he wants to say, ‘I am Lak, I am Dagestani, Chechen, Ingush, Russian, Tatar, Jewish, Mordvin, Ossetian.’

Putin announced that he has signed a decree posthumously awarding Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov the title of Hero of Russia for his sacrifice in Ukraine. He emphasized that Russian soldiers, fully understanding the justice of their cause, continue to remain in the ranks even after being wounded.