Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia “will always be victorious” during the traditional Victory Day military parade on Red Square, held under extraordinary security measures amid fears of Ukrainian attacks and growing war fatigue among Russian public opinion. In his speech, Putin referred to the sacrifices of World War II to bolster support for Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
“The great feat of the victorious generation inspires the fighters who are today carrying out the tasks of the special military operation,” he said, using the Kremlin’s official terminology for the invasion of Ukraine. “They stand against an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. However, our heroes move forward. Victory has been and will always be ours,” the Russian leader added.
Despite the triumphant tone, however, this year's parade was marked by an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Moscow was under tight surveillance, with internet outages in parts of the city, while Ukraine continued to carry out drone and long-range missile attacks. Just hours before the ceremony, it became clear that Ukraine would not attempt to disrupt the parade. US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange.
Unlike previous years, the parade lacked tanks, missiles and armored vehicles, a key element of the ceremony since 2017. Instead, guests watched videos demonstrating Russia's drone capabilities and nuclear arsenal. North Korean soldiers also took part in the parade, a sign of further rapprochement between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Korea has become one of Russia's closest allies in recent years, including sending troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine. The ceremony lasted about 45 minutes, much less than in previous years. Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov called it a "modest parade," acknowledging that "there are still big challenges ahead."
The security measures were openly acknowledged by Russian authorities as necessary to protect Putin, an indication of the changing security climate since the start of the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted with irony, stating that Ukraine had decided not to attack the parade “out of respect for the request of the American president.” Meanwhile, the Russian economy is facing increasing difficulties. Inflation is rising, the pace of economic growth has slowed and the budget deficit has reached record levels, while the war continues without any visible progress on the front. Despite this, the Kremlin is not giving any signals of compromise. Presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that Moscow sees no basis for new negotiations with Ukraine and the US without the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk region, a condition that Kiev categorically rejects.
