Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday voiced confidence of victory in Ukraine as he oversaw a military parade on Red Square commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II—a show that didn't include heavy weapons for the first time in nearly two decades. Security was tight in Moscow as Putin and several foreign leaders attended the parade, which was scaled down even as a US-brokered three-day ceasefire eased concerns about possible Ukrainian attempts to disrupt the festivities, per the AP. Putin, in power for more than a quarter century, has used Victory Day, Russia's most important secular holiday, to showcase the country's military might and rally support for his military action in Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
Speaking at the parade, Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, declaring that they "face an aggressive force that is armed and supported by the entire bloc of NATO." "Victory has always been and will be ours," Putin said as columns of troops lined up on Red Square. "The key to success is our moral strength, courage, and valor, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge." In a notable shift this year, however, the parade took place without tanks, missiles, or other heavy equipment, aside from a traditional flyover of combat jets.
Victory Day parades on Red Square have involved a broad array of heavy weapons—from armored vehicles to nuclear-tipped ICBMs—every year since 2008. Smaller parades are held elsewhere across the country, but this time many of them have also been pared down or even canceled altogether for security reasons. Officials attributed the sudden change of format to the "current operational situation" and said that additional security measures have been taken in response to the threat of Ukrainian attacks.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who said earlier this week that the Russian authorities "fear drones may buzz over Red Square" on Saturday, issued a decree mockingly permitting Russia to hold its Victory Day celebrations on Saturday, declaring Red Square temporarily off-limits for Ukrainian strikes. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov shrugged off Zelenskyy's decree as a "silly joke." "We don't need anyone's permission to be proud of our Victory Day," Peskov told reporters. Putin has used Victory Day celebrations to encourage national pride and underline Russia's position as a global power. More here.
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