MOSCOW, May 9 (Reuters) – Russia held its most modest “Victory Day” parade in years on Saturday, due to the threat of an attack from Ukraine, where the Russian army has been bogged down for over four years.
The military parade on May 9 in Moscow is a highlight in Russia – a time to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and pay tribute to the 27 million Soviets, many of whom were Ukrainians, who died during the conflict.
Formerly used to showcase Russian power, including its intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear capabilities, this year’s parade saw no tanks or other military equipment rolling through Red Square. Only images of submarines, fighter jets, missiles, and drones were projected on giant screens.
Soldiers and sailors, some of whom served in Ukraine, marched and cheered President Vladimir Putin, seated alongside Russian veterans at the foot of Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum.
Fighter jets then flew over the Kremlin, and Vladimir Putin stated in a brief eight-minute speech that the war in Ukraine – becoming less popular in Russia – was a “just cause.”
“The heroics of the victorious generation inspire the soldiers leading special military operations today,” he declared. “They face aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And yet, our heroes continue to advance.”
The Russian president then laid flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating unilateral ceasefires they had declared in recent days to mark the end of World War II, Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire, from Saturday to Monday, accepted by Moscow and Kyiv. The two sides also agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners.
President Trump expressed hope that the ceasefire could be extended. Ukraine is in favor of such an initiative, but Russia has so far opposed it, demanding Kyiv’s surrender first.
No violations of the ceasefire in effect on Saturday have been reported so far.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Kyiv, which has been carrying out drone strikes in Russia up to 1,500 km from its border, would not target the parade in Moscow. (Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin, French version by Tangi Salaün)
