Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered remarks at a pared-back Victory Day ceremony on Red Square, declaring that Russian forces in Ukraine are confronting an “aggressive force” backed by NATO and describing their cause as just. The annual parade, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, is usually used to display military hardware and project state strength; this year it was noticeably smaller.
Televised footage showed formations of soldiers and the Russian flag entering the square, with thousands of service members taking part. For the first time in around two decades the display did not include tanks, missiles or other heavy equipment, a decision officials attributed to heightened security concerns and fears of a possible Ukrainian attack.
Security around the event was visibly tightened. A large protective detail surrounded the president, attendance was reduced, and mobile internet access was blocked for the public in Moscow and several other cities. Foreign dignitaries present included Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Moscow at the same time and met with Putin at the Kremlin, though he did not attend the parade itself. Fico laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and discussed bilateral ties; Putin told him Russia could meet Slovakia’s energy needs. Fico’s trip provoked criticism in Slovakia and across Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly rebuking the visit.
The parade took place amid a temporary ceasefire negotiated by the United States. That three-day truce, intended to reduce the risk of attacks during the holiday, also included an agreement to exchange roughly 1,000 prisoners. Both sides had previously declared unilateral short truces around Victory Day that quickly broke down amid mutual recriminations, but officials reported no violations of the US-brokered pause on the day of the parade.
Putin used his speech to emphasize unity, resilience and moral strength, framing Victory Day as a testament to Russia’s enduring courage and determination. State broadcasters presented the scaled-down event as solemn and disciplined, even as the security measures and reduced military hardware underscored the unusual circumstances surrounding this year’s commemoration.