Victory Day Parade Marked by Heavy Security and Reduced Scale
Moscow was under intense security measures during the Victory Day parade on Red Square, which was scaled back amid concerns over potential Ukrainian attacks and growing war fatigue among the Russian public. The event took place despite a last-minute announcement of a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the crowd, invoking the sacrifices made during the Second World War to bolster support for Russian troops engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the warriors carrying out the tasks of the special military operation today,”
Putin said, using the Kremlin’s term for the invasion of Ukraine.
“They stand against an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire Nato bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward. Victory has always been and will always be ours.”
Despite Putin’s assertive rhetoric, the parade exposed vulnerabilities for the Russian leadership. Moscow experienced extensive security protocols, including internet shutdowns across the city, as Ukraine continued to conduct long-range drone and missile attacks targeting the Kremlin. These threats compelled organizers to remove the usual military pageantry from the event.
It was only in the final hours before the parade that it became evident Ukraine would not interfere. On the eve of the event, US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire.
The traditional display of missiles and armored vehicles, a hallmark of Victory Day parades since 2017, was completely omitted. Instead, attendees viewed a video presentation highlighting Russia’s drone capabilities and nuclear arsenal.
The audience included a limited delegation of foreign dignitaries from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, a column of North Korean soldiers marched across Red Square. North Korea has become one of Russia’s closest allies in recent years, strengthening ties amid the conflict.
The parade lasted approximately 45 minutes, about half the duration of previous years.
Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov described the event on Telegram as:
“a modest parade. There are still enormous challenges ahead.”
Russian officials openly acknowledged that the heightened security measures were intended to protect President Putin, highlighting how the war, initially expected to be brief, has evolved into a protracted conflict.
Ceasefire and Diplomatic Exchanges
Earlier in the week, Putin requested a ceasefire to coincide with the Victory Day celebrations. Ukraine initially dismissed this as a cynical attempt to shield the festivities from drone attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded on Friday night with a decree laced with irony, stating that Ukraine would "permit" Russia to hold the event by refraining from attacks, honoring a request from the US president. The ceasefire is scheduled to last until 11 May.
Historical Context and Current War Realities
This year’s Victory Day parade was the first since Russia’s war in Ukraine surpassed the duration of the Soviet Union’s campaign against Nazi Germany. Putin has repeatedly drawn parallels between the two conflicts, falsely portraying his invasion as a continuation of the fight against Nazism.
Notably, during the parade, Putin was seated not beside Second World War veterans, as in previous years, but flanked by soldiers who have fought in Ukraine.
With no clear victory or end in sight, public sentiment in Russia is deteriorating. The weeks leading up to the parade saw mass internet blackouts imposed by security services, justified as necessary precautions, but these actions have fueled public frustration and contributed to declining approval ratings for Putin.
Economically, Russia is showing signs of strain after years of growth fueled by military spending. Economic growth has slowed significantly, inflation is rising, and both citizens and businesses are feeling the pressure. The budget deficit has reached record levels.
Military Stalemate and Political Impasse
On the battlefield, progress remains stalled. Russian forces are near a standstill, with neither side close to a decisive breakthrough. Recent months have seen slowed advances, with both armies showing signs of exhaustion and sustaining heavy casualties. Both continue to target each other’s energy infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, there is little indication that Putin is moving toward compromise. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated on Thursday that Moscow sees no grounds for new trilateral talks with Ukraine and the US unless Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine—a condition Kyiv has firmly rejected. Ukraine continues to hold key cities and fortified positions in Donetsk, defended at the cost of tens of thousands of lives.
