Russia commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 with a large-scale military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
The event, a deeply symbolic day in the Russian calendar, was attended by President Vladimir Putin, who used the occasion to honor the Soviet sacrifice in World War II while projecting modern military strength.
Flanked by global allies including Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Putin presided over a procession of over 11,000 troops, tanks, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and—for the first time—drones reflecting current warfare trends.
READ ALSO: Russia Marks 80th Victory Day Amid War, Ceasefire, and Global Attention
While Putin avoided direct criticism of the West, his message emphasized unity, resilience, and Russia’s central role in defeating fascism. The ongoing war in Ukraine was only briefly referenced, though the conflict clearly loomed over the day’s proceedings.
The parade, which featured Chinese and North Korean troops, highlighted Russia’s growing strategic alliances outside the West as the Kremlin seeks to demonstrate it is far from isolated on the global stage.
Despite a fragile 72-hour ceasefire declared by Putin, Ukraine reported violations and dismissed the display as political theater. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the parade, calling it “a display of cynicism” amid ongoing suffering.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.