"We are ready to work for Russia, to defend it from any outside interference. Our genetic code is victorious, our people are victors," Putin told his supporters.

He noted that people who came to the rally "are the real defenders of our fatherland."

He promised to "defeat injustice and corruption," to which the crowd answered with massive "Russia!" chants.

"I dream of every person in our country living according to the rules, and in line with his or her conscience so that everyone would be happy and have hope. But the main thing is that we all have been together," he said.