Putin leads muted Victory Day parade under threat of Ukrainian attack | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Victory Day: An annual Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
• Special Military Operation: The official Russian term for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): The intergovernmental military alliance that Russia characterizes as an aggressive force supporting Ukraine.
• Red Square: The central location in Moscow where the annual military parade is traditionally held.

---

Analysis of the 2024 Victory Day Parade

1. Scaled-Back Military Display

The 2024 Victory Day parade in Moscow was notably smaller than in previous years. A significant departure from tradition was the absence of heavy military hardware—such as tanks and missile systems—on the physical ground of Red Square. Instead, these assets were displayed only on digital screens. This reduction is attributed to security concerns regarding potential Ukrainian attacks, despite President Putin’s historical preference for projecting military strength through these displays.

2. Ideological Framing: Connecting WWII to the Ukraine Conflict

President Vladimir Putin utilized the platform to draw a direct ideological link between the Soviet victory in World War II and the current invasion of Ukraine. By framing the "special military operation" as a continuation of the struggle against Nazi Germany, the Kremlin seeks to legitimize the war to the Russian public. Putin stated: "The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers fighting in today's special military operation."

3. Geopolitical Stance and NATO Criticism

A central theme of Putin’s address was the characterization of the conflict as a proxy war against the West. He argued that Russian forces are not merely fighting Ukraine, but are "confronting an aggressive force which is armed and supported by the whole of NATO." This narrative serves to justify the ongoing conflict as a defensive necessity against Western expansion and influence.

4. International Alliances and Security

The parade highlighted shifting geopolitical alliances, with North Korean troops participating in the event. This inclusion underscores the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, as North Korean forces have been actively involved in supporting Russia’s efforts in Ukraine.

5. Security and Ceasefire Dynamics

The event proceeded under a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which was reportedly brokered by Donald Trump. This diplomatic intervention was instrumental in reducing the immediate threat of a Ukrainian strike on the parade, allowing the event to proceed without the disruption of active combat operations in the immediate vicinity.

---

Synthesis and Conclusion

The 2024 Victory Day parade served as a microcosm of Russia’s current strategic position: while the state continues to leverage the historical prestige of the 1945 victory to maintain domestic morale and justify the "special military operation," the physical limitations of the parade—specifically the lack of heavy hardware—reveal underlying security anxieties and the strain of the ongoing war. Despite the patriotic rhetoric and the attempt to equate modern soldiers with the "victors" of 1945, the report notes a stark reality: while Russia celebrates the historical victory of 1945, there is currently no clear sign of a comparable victory in Ukraine.