Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing a small military parade in Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, said Russian troops in Ukraine were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance.
The traditional Victory Day parade commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Images broadcast on state television showed a group of soldiers carrying a Russian flag in the square.
“Victory has always been ours and will always be ours,” Putin said in his speech. “The key to success is our moral strength, courage and bravery, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge.”
Russian troops in Ukraine “are facing an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc,” he said, adding that he believes they are fighting for the “just” cause.
security increased
The Russian president commonly uses Victory Day, a major national holiday in Russia, to showcase the country’s military power and rally support for the war in Ukraine. But this year’s festivities were scaled down due to fears of a possible Ukrainian attack. For the first time in two decades, the parade will not include tanks, missiles and other heavy weapons.
A large security cordon could be seen around the President during his presence in the parade. The number of guests attending was also limited and mobile internet access was blocked for the public in Moscow and other cities.
Foreign leaders attending the parade included Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Robert Fico, the prime minister of EU member state Slovakia, was due to meet Putin and lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but was not expected to attend the parade.
3 day ceasefire implemented
The parade comes as a US-brokered three-day ceasefire comes into effect, allaying concerns over a Ukrainian attack on the parade. Both sides also agreed to an exchange of 1,000 prisoners.
Russia had earlier announced a unilateral two-day ceasefire on the occasion of Victory Day. Ukraine also announced its own ceasefire two days earlier, but the ceasefire soon unraveled with both sides accusing the other of continuing attacks.
The US-brokered ceasefire remained intact on Saturday, with no reports of violations from Moscow or Kiev.
Edited by: Louis Olofse