Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday gave his much-anticipated very first address to the country given that purchasing the invasion of Ukraine exactly a year ago.

Nevertheless, the members of the Putinist elite invited to Moscows Gostiny Dvor for the event were far from the only individuals listening to the proceedings.As members of both chambers of Russias parliament, cabinet ministers, local political leaders, military leading brass, business leaders, and cultural figures all took their seats in Moscow, the phenomenon was relayed across Russias 11 time zones on multiple television and media channels, in federal government structures, instructional centers and even in public areas.

Soldiers on the frontlines in Ukraine, college student, and even those simply out walking the pet dog were left with little option but to listen to the president defend his unique military operation with selective readings of history while also castigating the West for its attempts to damage Russia.