Putin justifies Ukraine war at Moscow World War II parade

Russia commemorated the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 with its traditional military parade on Friday – but this time the weapons displayed included drones used in the Ukraine war as President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between the two conflicts.

It was the fourth annual parade, featuring thousands of soldiers and heavy military equipment on Red Square, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Security measures were even tighter than usual due to threats by Ukraine not to comply with a unilateral ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his speech, Putin equated the war in Ukraine with the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany 80 years ago.

“Russia remains an insurmountable obstacle to Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism and will fight the excesses perpetrated by the henchmen of these aggressive destructive ideas,” Putin said.

Truth and justice are on Russia’s side, he said, adding that the whole of Moscow supported the fighters in the “special military operation” – the Kremlin’s term for its invasion of the neighbouring country.

Putin emphasized that Soviet soldiers played the decisive role in defeating the Nazi regime. However, he did concede that the opening of a second front in Europe accelerated the Allied victory.

He also highlighted China’s contribution to the war, with Chinese President Xi Jinping among the international leaders in the audience.

While most of Europe marked the anniversary on Thursday, Russia always holds its annual parade on May 9.

This year was unique in that Russia for the first time showed off drones being used in the Ukraine war.

Several lorries carrying Orlan reconnaissance drones as well as Lancet and Iran-made Geran combat drones rolled across Red Square in the televised parade.

The latter are often used to attack targets in Ukraine far behind the front line.

The Russian military also displayed tanks, armoured troop carriers and reconnaissance vehicles, howitzers, S-400 air defence systems and Yars nuclear missiles in front of the many international dignitaries.

International event

According to media reports, the approximately 10,000 parade participants included soldiers from numerous other countries as well as Russian participants in the Ukraine war.

After the parade, Putin greeted North Korean soldiers who had fought on Russia’s side against Ukraine. He wished all the fighters good health, he said in a conversation with the generals sent from Pyongyang.

The North Korean soldiers were deployed in the Russian border region of Kursk, which the Ukrainian military overran in a surprise offensive last summer.

Slovakia’s Robert Fico was the only prime minister of an European Union and NATO country to be in Moscow, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was also present to watch the parade.

According to the Kremlin, leaders from Brazil, Cuba and Laos, as well as Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were also attending.

After the military parade, Putin laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier. This was followed by a reception for state guests.