On Saturday, Russia marked one of its smallest Victory Day parades in recent years, a reflection of concerns over potential attacks from Ukraine. This comes more than four years after the onset of the most severe conflict in Europe since World War II, which has not signaled a clear victory for Russian forces.
May 9 is a significant date in Russia, celebrated as the day the Soviet Union triumphed over Nazi Germany, honoring the 27 million Soviet citizens who died in the conflict, including many Ukrainians.
In contrast to past parades that traditionally displayed Russia’s extensive military might—think tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles—this year’s parade saw no military vehicles parading through Red Square.
Instead, various weapons were showcased on large screens, including Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, new Arkhangelsk nuclear submarines, Peresvet laser systems, Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets, S-500 missile systems, numerous drones, and artillery equipment.
In the presence of veterans beneath Vladimir Lenin’s Mausoleum, soldiers and sailors—including some who had participated in the Ukraine conflict—marched and cheered as President Vladimir Putin watched. There were also North Korean troops who had engaged against Ukrainians in Russia’s Kursk region.
As fighter jets soared over the Kremlin, Putin delivered an eight-minute address, asserting that victory in Ukraine, which he referred to as a “special military operation,” was assured. He declared, “Our heroes are advancing” despite facing “aggressive forces” backed by NATO.
Trump Calls for Extended Ceasefire
President Trump announced a three-day ceasefire from Saturday to Monday, a move endorsed by both the Kremlin and Kiev, following mutual accusations of breaking recently declared ceasefires.
The two nations are also set to exchange 1,000 prisoners.
Trump expressed a desire for an extended ceasefire, stating, “This is the worst situation in terms of human lives since World War II.” He highlighted the staggering number of young soldiers lost monthly and emphasized the need for peace.
Russia, having invaded Ukraine in 2022, had issued warnings that any disruption of Saturday’s events by Ukraine would trigger a major missile strike on Kiev, advising diplomats in the capital to evacuate.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy humorously decreed that Ukrainian weapons would not target the Red Square during the parade.
Tight security measures were in place in Moscow, with armed soldiers manning vehicles and blocking access around the city, home to 22 million residents.
Ukraine Conflict Overshadows Celebration
As a reminder of history, the Red Army had pushed back Nazi Germany after the invasion in 1941, culminating in the raising of the Soviet flag over the Reichstag in Berlin in May 1945.
Although the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany was recognized on May 8, celebrated in the West as “Victory in Europe Day,” Russians commemorate their Victory Day every May 9, rooted in their “Great Patriotic War.”
This year’s celebration, however, is set against a backdrop of growing unease in Moscow concerning the outcome of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The war has inflicted heavy casualties, devastated vast areas of Ukraine, and strained Russia’s economy, which is facing significant decline amid deteriorating relations with Europe reminiscent of Cold War tensions.
Concerns over a deepening crisis have been voiced, with Igor Gilkin, a jailed nationalist, cautioned that abrupt changes could destabilize not just the economy but other facets of society as well.
Reports circulating about a possible coup have been dismissed by Russian officials, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denying any claim that Putin requires increased protection due to fears of assassination. However, CNN mentioned that an unnamed European intelligence source implicated Putin’s former defense minister as a potential coup mastermind.
Despite these claims, Sergei Shoigu, who notably attended a Security Council meeting led by Putin, also participated in the parade and stood among Putin’s key officials.
