Vladimir Putin took to the podium in Moscow's Red Square on Victory Day to once again attempt to justify his invasion of Ukraine, painting the sovereign nation as an 'aggressive force' backed by NATO.
While the holiday is intended to honor the Soviet Union's role in defeating Nazi Germany, Putin pivoted quickly to his own 'special military operation,' claiming his soldiers are fighting a 'just' war.
The event was a shadow of its former self; for the first time in years, the Kremlin opted not to display its modern arsenal of ballistic missiles and armored vehicles.
Russian officials admitted the hardware is needed on the front lines, with MP Yevgeny Popov candidly stating, 'We need them more on the battlefield than on Red Square.' The parade also faced significant security theater, with officials citing the threat of Ukrainian drones as a reason for the muted celebrations.
While a three-day ceasefire was announced by President Trump, both sides have already traded accusations of violations. Putin was joined by a dwindling list of international allies, including Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and several Central Asian heads of state, marking a clear decline in attendance compared to previous years.
As the war stretches into its fourth year, the scaled-back display serves as a stark reminder that the Kremlin's resources are being drained by a conflict that continues to destabilize the region.
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