Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square to justify Russia’s war in Ukraine and criticise Nato during scaled-back celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
Speaking before hundreds of military personnel and a handful of world leaders, Putin described the conflict in Ukraine as a “just” war and accused Nato of supporting what he called an “aggressive force” in Ukraine.
“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said, referring to the war in Ukraine.
“They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato. And despite this, our heroes move forward.”
The parade, held under tightened security, was notably smaller than previous years, with no armoured vehicles or ballistic missiles displayed in Red Square for the first time in years.
Ahead of the celebrations, Russia and Ukraine agreed to observe a three-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump.
Putin also praised Russian citizens contributing to the war effort, including scientists, inventors, doctors, teachers and military correspondents.
“No matter how military tactics change, the future of the country is being provided for by the people,” he said.
Foreign leaders present at the event included Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The ceremony featured marching troops, military bands and fly-pasts by Russian fighter jets displaying the colours of the Russian flag. North Korean soldiers also took part in the parade.
Following the event, Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside visiting leaders before attending a reception at the Kremlin.
Victory Day celebrations also took place in other Russian cities, including Vladivostok, where residents participated in the traditional Immortal Regiment march honouring war veterans.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the war has continued for more than four years.
Although Moscow’s annual Victory Day parade has traditionally featured tanks, missiles and other military hardware, officials said this year’s event was reduced because of the “current operational situation.”
“Our tanks are busy right now,” Russian MP Yevgeny Popov told the BBC earlier this week. “They are fighting. We need them more on the battlefield than on Red Square.”
A ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appeared to hold during the celebrations, despite previous accusations by both sides of repeated violations.
Credit: BBC
