Russia Scales Back Victory Day Parade Amid Ukraine War

Vladimir Putin addressed military personnel in Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, using the annual Victory Day commemorations to characterize the conflict in Ukraine as a “just” war.

The event was significantly reduced in scale compared to previous years. For the first time in recent history, the parade featured no ballistic missiles or armoured vehicles. The Russian military attributed the absence of these assets and the exclusion of cadets to the “current operational situation.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the decision to scale back the celebrations was a response to a “terrorist threat” from Ukraine. Peskov told reporters that the “Kyiv regime” had engaged in “full-scale terrorist activity” as it lost ground on the battlefield, necessitating measures to minimize danger during the Red Square proceedings.

During his speech, Putin commemorated the sacrifices of Soviet soldiers from World War Two, stating that the “great feat of the generation of victors” serves as an inspiration for those currently involved in the “special military operation.” He described Ukraine as an “aggressive force” that is being “armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato.”

The diminished nature of the event stands in contrast to the previous year’s celebrations, which marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. That event featured an array of drones and tanks and was attended by more than 20 world leaders.

The celebrations took place during a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which had been announced on Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the parade, however, the Russian defence ministry accused Ukraine of violating the terms of the truce. The ministry did not provide specific details regarding the alleged breach, and Ukraine did not immediately comment on the accusation.