Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual Victory Day parade address on Moscow’s Red Square to defend Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, describing it as a “just” struggle against what he called an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance.
In a speech framed around the legacy of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, Putin drew historical parallels to rally domestic support, saying Russian forces in Ukraine were continuing the “great feat of the generation of victors.” He claimed that despite facing Western military and political backing for Kyiv, Russian troops were advancing on the battlefield.
This year’s parade was significantly scaled back due to heightened security concerns following Ukrainian long-range strikes. For the first time in nearly two decades, no heavy military equipment was displayed, and attendance from foreign leaders was limited mostly to Russia’s close allies.
The event took place amid a temporary three-day ceasefire, reportedly brokered following a proposal linked to US President Donald Trump. Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause major hostilities during the commemorations, alongside a prisoner exchange involving around 1,000 detainees from each side.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed compliance with the ceasefire, emphasizing priority on securing the return of Ukrainian prisoners. Meanwhile, both sides reported reduced drone activity overnight.
The war, now in its fifth year, remains Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with ongoing diplomatic efforts yielding little progress despite intermittent US-led mediation attempts.
