Moscow Hosts Victory Day Parade Amid Heightened Security Measures
Heightened security measures have been implemented in Moscow ahead of President Vladimir Putin's speech at the Victory Day parade on Red Square, commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. A three-day ceasefire brokered by the U.S. has eased concerns about potential Ukrainian strikes during the celebrations.
Putin, in power for over 25 years, uses Victory Day, a significant secular holiday in Russia, to showcase the country's military strength and rally support for the military invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. This year, for the first time in nearly two decades, the parade is taking place without tanks, missiles, and other heavy weaponry, except for the traditional flyover of military aircraft.
Russian authorities attributed the sudden change in format to the current operational situation and cited the threat of Ukrainian attacks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that "additional security measures" have been implemented.
Previous ceasefire agreements have not held.
Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a ceasefire starting May 6, but neither agreement was honored, with both sides exchanging mutual accusations of ongoing attacks.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine accepted his request for a ceasefire from Saturday to Monday and agreed to a prisoner exchange, stating that the pause in hostilities could be the "beginning of the end" of the war.
Zelensky, who earlier this week stated that Russian authorities "fear drones could fly over Red Square" on May 9, continued Trump's statement by issuing a decree mockingly allowing Russia to celebrate Victory Day on Saturday, declaring Red Square temporarily closed to Ukrainian strikes.
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Peskov called Zelensky's decree a "silly joke," stating, "We do not need anyone's permission to be proud of Victory Day."
Russian authorities warned that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Saturday's celebrations, Russia will launch a "massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv." The Ministry of Defense urged civilians and foreign diplomatic staff to "immediately leave the city." The EU stated that its diplomats would not leave the Ukrainian capital despite Russian threats.
Putin uses the Victory Day celebrations to bolster national pride and emphasize Russia's status as a global power. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people during the Great Patriotic War from 1941 to 1945.
Victory Day parades on Red Square have showcased a wide range of heavy weaponry since 2008, but this year many of them have been scaled back or even canceled for security reasons.
On Saturday, as troops prepared to march across Red Square, authorities imposed restrictions on mobile internet access and text messaging services in the Russian capital, citing the need to ensure public safety. The government is systematically tightening internet censorship and imposing stricter controls on online activities, leading to discontent and rare public displays of dissent.
High-profile guests attending the celebrations in Moscow include the King of Malaysia, the President of Laos, the President of Kazakhstan, the President of Uzbekistan, the President of Belarus, and the Prime Minister of Slovakia.
