Russian President Vladimir Putin and about 20 foreign leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, are attending a major military parade in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday to mark 80 years since the victory over Nazi Germany.
Putin ordered a ceasefire from 8 to 10 May for the celebrations, which feature a grand parade near the Kremlin walls. This commemoration occurs amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite this, Ukraine accused Russia of launching widespread attacks along the front line on Thursday, reporting hundreds of ceasefire violations. The Russian military claimed to be strictly adhering to the ceasefire and only responding to Ukrainian violations.
Among the attending leaders on Friday were representatives from Russia’s allies or partners, such as China, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Vietnam, Armenia, Cuba, and Venezuela.
In defiance of Western isolation efforts, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who is wanted by Bosnian authorities, were also present.
Approximately 11,000 soldiers marched past the dignitaries, including 1,500 who had fought in Ukraine, according to state agency TASS.
The streets of the Russian capital are adorned with national colours, and most shops and restaurants display posters urging people to “remember” the 1945 victory and to be “proud.”
Since Tuesday, Ukraine has launched multiple drone strikes in Russia, targeting the capital and causing delays and cancellations of hundreds of flights. However, the situation was calm on Friday morning in Moscow, under a lightly cloudy blue sky.
The Kremlin stated it had taken “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of the celebrations, including restricting internet access to counter drone threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly criticised the Red Square parade, viewing any foreign participation as "support for the aggressor state" of Russia.
In addition to the foreign leaders present in Moscow, soldiers from 13 countries are participating in the parade, including troops from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Egypt.
9 May is the main patriotic ceremony in Russia and other former Soviet republics.
