Putin vows military readiness amidst Ukraine tensions at Victory Day parade

On Thursday, as part of Russia’s annual Victory Day celebration, President Vladimir Putin declared that his military forces remain “always ready” to counter external threats. The event, which honors the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany during World War II, took place at Moscow’s Red Square. This year’s parade came amid ongoing fighting in Ukraine, with Putin stating that Russia will prevent a worldwide confrontation while simultaneously ensuring that nobody threatens the nation or its strategic forces. Putin emphasized that Russia is presently experiencing challenging circumstances and stated that the struggle of their homeland relies on everyone’s actions during his speech. The Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu, revealed that around 9,000 individuals and 70 military objects would participate in the primary military procession on Red Square, whereas last year’s parade included more than 10,000 individuals and 125 military items. Several world leaders, mainly from former Soviet nations, were invited, including Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan, Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos, and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau. In contrast, “hostile countries” were not invited for a third Victory Day since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine because they are undertaking an aggressive strategy against Russia. Putin’s remarks come shortly after his swearing-in for a fifth term in office, which occurred on Tuesday in the Kremlin. Many European nations and the US refused to attend the ceremony, claiming that Russia’s election was rigged. Putin’s reelection further consolidated his authority in Russia, where he has served in various government roles since his initial inauguration in 2000, and he altered the nation’s constitution to eliminate term limits and lengthen each term’s duration from four years to six.