Putin Oversees Scaled-Back Victory Day Parade on Red Square

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a noticeably scaled-back Victory Day military parade on Moscow’s Red Square today, marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
During his address, Putin praised Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, describing their efforts as a continuation of the heroic struggle against external threats. He reiterated confidence in Russia’s eventual victory in the ongoing conflict.
In a significant departure from tradition, this year’s parade did not feature tanks, ballistic missiles, or other heavy military hardware — the first time in nearly two decades that such equipment was absent from Red Square. The decision is widely attributed to security concerns over possible Ukrainian drone attacks. The event focused instead on marching troops, with an air show conducted later.
The parade took place under tight security, with reports of a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine facilitating the event. North Korean troops also participated in the march for the first time.24bf6c
Analysts see the scaled-back parade as a reflection of the current operational realities facing Russia amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.