In a defiant Victory Day speech on May 9th in Moscow’s Red Square, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning that Russia’s nuclear forces are “always on alert.” The annual parade marks the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Putin heaped praise on his troops fighting in Ukraine, accusing “Western elites” of fomenting global conflicts. “Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always on alert,” he told the crowd of thousands of soldiers in ceremonial attire.
The Russian leader has increasingly employed nuclear rhetoric since invading Ukraine over a year ago, pulling out of a nuclear test ban treaty and a key arms reduction agreement with the United States. Earlier this week, he ordered the Russian military to hold nuclear drills involving the navy and troops based near Ukraine, raising fears he could use the powerful weapons on the battlefield.
Putin framed the Ukraine conflict as an “existential battle against Nazism,” stating “we bow our heads before the memory of civilians killed by barbaric shelling and terrorist attacks by neo-Nazis.” He praised front-line troops as “our heroes. All Russia is with you.”
Tight security surrounded this year’s scaled-back parade amid repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. Only leaders of ex-Soviet republics Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended, along with Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau.
Russia’s border regions including Belgorod have been hit by deadly Ukrainian attacks, including on Thursday when overnight aerial bombardment injured eight people. Other parts canceled parades due to security concerns.
The 71-year-old Putin, who secured a fresh 6-year mandate in March after elections devoid of opposition, vowed at his lavish inauguration to deliver “victory” to Russians. “We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize everything we have planned, and together, we will win,” he stated.
The parade featured columns of Russian military equipment, though notably scaled back as Moscow mobilizes resources for the Ukraine front. “We come to see it every year. It’s very touching, very exciting,” said spectator Yelena Melikhova. Svetlana Sycheva said she felt “pride” despite “such difficult times.”
In comments after the parade, Putin vowed to modernize the army’s weaponry, saying “If we want to be successful, we always have to be one step ahead.”