Moscow holds scaled-back Victory Day parade due to security concerns

Russia Holds Scaled-Back Victory Day Parade Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

On May 9, Russia held a scaled-back Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square, citing concerns about potential attacks from Ukraine. The event marked one of the most subdued parades in recent years.

The parade, which is Russia’s most significant national holiday, commemorates the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany and honors the 27 million Soviet citizens who lost their lives during World War II. Typically, the parade features military hardware, including tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles, but this year’s event was instead showcased on giant screens displayed on Red Square and broadcast on state television.

Soldiers and sailors, some of whom have served in Ukraine, participated in the march, accompanied by President Vladimir Putin and Russian veterans. North Korean troops also took part in the parade. Fighter jets flew above the Kremlin’s towers as Putin delivered an address, promising victory in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The event was attended by Putin, who referred to the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation.” The Kremlin has maintained that Russia is seeking to protect its interests and ensure regional stability.

Source: Al Jazeera