The President of Russia gives a speech during the military parade.
(Photo: dpa)
Chisinau The last military vehicles roll across Red Square in central Moscow, then Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin rises from his seat. He shakes hands with the veterans present, who are seated not far from the president, then he strides with the few foreign heads of state who are responsible for The celebrations have arrived across the square between the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the State Historical Museum.
Overshadowed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, traditional celebrations to mark the 78th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, including the annual military parade, began Tuesday morning in Moscow. Thousands of soldiers marched under high security precautions.
With the parade, the Kremlin wants to demonstrate its military power. But the massive safety precautions show a deeply troubled Moscow. Similar celebrations were canceled in advance in more than 20 Russian cities.
The air show was also omitted this year, although the weather conditions would have been suitable. The military mainly presented wheeled armored vehicles, overall the demonstration of military equipment was smaller than in the past.
Military observers had already commented in advance that it was unclear which military equipment Russia wanted to present, since large parts of the material used by the Russian troops in Ukraine were needed – or had already been destroyed. According to official Russian information, a total of more than 10,000 soldiers are said to have deployed and 125 units of military technology were on display.
Speculations about parade cancellation due to drone incident
Especially after a drone incident at the Kremlin, there had been repeated speculation in the past few days as to whether the parade would actually take place or whether it would be canceled for security reasons. On the night of last Wednesday, two drones penetrated the Kremlin premises.
Thousands of soldiers marched on Red Square.
(Photo: IMAGO/ITAR-TASS)
They were able to be brought down by anti-aircraft defenses over the dome of the Senate Palace. Moscow holds Kiev responsible for the alleged attempted assassination of Putin. Ukraine rejects this and speaks of a Russian staging.
Putin’s speech was awaited with particular excitement. In his ten-minute speech, the Russian President repeated widely known positions. He did not address the challenges Russia faces in view of the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive, instead accusing the West of wanting to destroy Russia. “A real war is being waged against our Fatherland,” he claimed. The Western elite sows hatred and Russophobia. “They are trying to destroy our country.” So far, the Kremlin chief has avoided the term “war” and has always spoken of a “military special operation” to describe the attack on Ukraine.
At the same time, Putin swore to the unity of the Russian population. “Everyone in the country is united to support our heroes.” Referring to the war waged against the neighboring country, he says: “We are proud of the participants of the military special operation in Ukraine.”
Heads of state arrived from Central Asia
The Central Asian heads of state in particular offered Putin support. Last year the Kremlin did not even extend invitations to foreign heads of state; this year the heads of state from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia were present. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had distanced himself more from Russia since the start of the large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine last February, but he still traveled. In addition, both countries argue about energy supplies.
In his speech, referring to his guests, Putin said it was “very important” that the heads of state and government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries had come together. Founded in 1991, the organization unites various successor states of the Soviet Union. He sees this as a “grateful attitude towards the achievements of our ancestors: they fought together and won together”. However, representatives of the other CIS member states Azerbaijan and Moldova were not present.
A number of heads of state and government are also guests at the parade.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine
Ahead of “Victory Day” the Russian army has again intensified attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the month. On Tuesday night, the main target of the attacks was the capital Kiev. According to Ukrainian information, however, 23 of the 25 cruise missiles fired were destroyed by anti-aircraft defenses, there were no casualties and little damage. The night before, Russia had destroyed a Red Cross camp and killed a civilian security guard in an attack on the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine.
The head of the military administration of Kiev Serhiy Popko referred to the recent wave of attacks in connection with the memorial day in Moscow. Russia is trying to “kill as many civilians as possible on that day,” he wrote on Telegram. His assessment: “As at the front, the aggressor’s plan didn’t work out.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kiev on Tuesday morning and tweeted upon arrival that it was good to be back in the Ukrainian capital. “Where the values that are important to us are defended every day.” Starting this year, Ukraine celebrates Europe Day and the end of the Second World War on May 9th. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced this as a sign of further rapprochement with Europe.
With agency material
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