Putin vows Russia’s victory over Ukraine and criticises Nato at scaled-down Victory Day parade
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed unwavering confidence in a victory in Ukraine during Saturday’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, an event notably scaled back and missing heavy military hardware for the first time in almost two decades.
The annual commemoration of Nazi Germany’s defeat, a cornerstone of Russia’s secular calendar, saw heightened security and the presence of several foreign leaders.
The scaled-down display, which traditionally showcases the nation’s military might, occurred amidst a US-brokered three-day ceasefire, easing concerns over potential disruptions from Ukraine.
Mr Putin, who has led Russia for over a quarter-century, has consistently leveraged Victory Day to galvanise support for his military campaign in Ukraine, now entering its fifth year.
Addressing columns of troops on Red Square, he lauded Russian forces, asserting they “face an aggressive force that is armed and supported by the entire bloc of Nato” and are engaged in a “just cause.”
He declared, “Victory has always been and will be ours,” adding, “The key to success is our moral strength, courage and valor, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge.”
This year’s parade, however, marked a significant departure, proceeding without tanks, missiles, or other heavy equipment, save for a traditional flyover of combat jets.
Officials explained the sudden change of format by the “current operational situation” and said that additional security measures have been taken in response to the threat of Ukrainian attacks. State television commentators said that the heavy weaponry was more needed at the battlefield in Ukraine.
For the first time, Saturday’s parade featured troops from North Korea, a tribute to Pyongyang that sent its soldiers to fight alongside Moscow forces to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a truce that was supposed to begin on 6 May, but neither of them held as the parties traded blame for continuing attacks.
US President Donald Trump announced Friday that Russia and Ukraine have bowed to his request for a ceasefire running Saturday through Monday and an exchange of prisoners, declaring that the break in fighting could be the “beginning of the end” of the war.
Zelensky, who said earlier this week that the Russian authorities “fear drones may buzz over Red Square” on 9 May, followed up on Trump’s statement by issuing 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 Zelensky’s decree as a “silly joke”. “We don’t need anyone’s permission to be proud of our Victory Day” Peskov told reporters.
Russia’s bigger and better-equipped military has been making slow but steady gains along the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line. Ukraine has hit back with increasingly efficient long-range attacks, striking Russian energy facilities, manufacturing plants and military depots.
