Russia Will Always Be Victorious, Declares Putin at Scaled-Back Victory Day Parade

President Vladimir Putin defiantly declared that 'Victory has always been and will always be ours' during a subdued Victory Day parade on Red Square. Speaking to a heavily secured crowd, Putin invoked the sacrifices of World War II to bolster support for his forces engaged in what he termed a 'special military operation' in Ukraine. He framed the conflict as a stand against an 'aggressive force armed and supported by the entire Nato bloc,' asserting that 'our heroes move forward.'

Despite the confident rhetoric, this year's parade starkly revealed Russia's current vulnerabilities. Heavy security blanketed Moscow, with internet services disrupted, as Ukraine continued to pose a threat through long-range strikes. The usual grand display of missiles and armored vehicles was conspicuously absent, replaced by a video showcasing Russia's drone and nuclear capabilities. A contingent of North Korean soldiers marched in the parade, highlighting Pyongyang's growing alignment with Moscow, particularly as its troops reportedly fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

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The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the warriors carrying out the tasks of the special military operation today. They stand against an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire Nato bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward. Victory has always been and will always be ours.

The parade's brevity, lasting only about 45 minutes, and its reduced scale were noted by observers, including pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov, who described it as 'modest' and acknowledged 'enormous challenges ahead.' The heightened security measures, openly admitted to be for Putin's protection, underscored the significant shift in the war's trajectory since Russia's initial expectations of a swift victory.

Earlier in the week, Putin had pressed for a ceasefire to coincide with the parade. Ukraine, initially dismissing the proposal as a ploy, eventually 'permitted' Russia to hold the event by agreeing to a ceasefire until May 11, a decision framed with 'sardonic wit' by President Zelenskyy as a deference to a request from the US president. This year's Victory Day marks the first since Russia's war in Ukraine has surpassed the duration of the Soviet Union's involvement in World War II, a historical parallel that resonates deeply within Russia.

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It was a modest parade. There are still enormous challenges ahead.