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Red Square parade sees fewer journalists and guests
This year's Victory Day parade in Moscow took on a markedly different tone, with reduced attendance and a noticeable absence of heavy military hardware. International media presence was limited, and many foreign outlets were denied access.
A subdued spectacle
Journalists who did attend, including a correspondent from The Meta Times, observed a quieter event than in previous years. Fewer world leaders were present, and the stands lining Red Square were less crowded. A Russian TV crew mistakenly assumed the presence of foreign media signaled broader access, only to be corrected when no other international reporters were visible.
No tanks, no missiles-just screens
The most striking change was the absence of traditional military displays. Typically, the parade showcases Russia's arsenal, including tanks, rocket launchers, and intercontinental ballistic missiles. This year, however, none of that hardware was physically present. Authorities cited security concerns, fearing potential drone strikes from Ukraine, as the reason for the scaled-back event.
Instead, the Kremlin opted for a digital alternative. Giant screens on Red Square displayed footage of military equipment, including multiple rocket launchers, fighter jets, and submarines. The shift from physical to virtual displays underscored the cautious atmosphere surrounding the event.
Putin's speech amid a different war
President Vladimir Putin delivered his address, declaring,
His words echoed the celebration of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany 81 years ago-a conflict Russia refers to as the "Great Victory.""We always were and always will be victorious!"
Yet the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, casts a shadow over such commemorations. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has not yielded a clear victory, and the conflict remains unresolved. A last-minute ceasefire, brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump, temporarily eased tensions ahead of the parade, reducing the immediate threat of an attack.
Ukraine's response and Kremlin's defiance
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday "permitting" Russia to hold the parade-a move widely seen as a provocative jab. Moscow dismissed the gesture, with a Kremlin spokesman stating that Russia did not require anyone's permission to commemorate its history.
A parade reflective of the times
The scaled-back nature of this year's Victory Day parade reflects broader geopolitical realities. While Russia continues to celebrate its past military triumphs, the absence of hardware and reduced international presence highlight the constraints imposed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The event, once a display of unchallenged strength, now carries the weight of current uncertainties.
