President Vladimir V. Putin plans to lead a Victory Day parade on Red Square this Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. The event, which will be attended by leaders from countries including China and Brazil, aims to highlight Russia’s historical achievements and justify its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Among the parade’s highlights are thousands of soldiers, armored vehicles, tanks, and nuclear missile launchers, along with a marching contingent of Chinese military personnel and fighter jets flying over Moscow.
As this year’s parade is set to be the most extensive since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the participation or non-participation of foreign dignitaries will be observed as indicators of support for or opposition to the West.
Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine starting on May 8 but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the offer as a “theatrical show” and proposed a 30-day ceasefire for negotiations to end the conflict. There has been concern that Ukraine might target the parade given recent increased attacks on Moscow and surrounding areas in the lead-up to Victory Day.
The parade’s significance in Russia is profound, commemorating the estimated 26 million Soviet lives lost during World War II – an event that has historical significance for Putin personally. Despite traditionally being a unifying event for Russia, the parade has become a point of contention since the invasion of Ukraine. Western countries celebrate Victory Day on a different day due to a time difference, and Ukraine now celebrates on May 8, distancing itself from Russia and its Soviet legacy.
The parade also represents Russia’s shift away from the West towards alliances with countries in the “global south” and underscores Russia’s military strength as a key element of its national identity. Russia’s Victory Day parade, once a showcase of unity, has evolved into a complex display of national pride, historical memory, and contemporary geopolitics.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/world/europe/russia-victory-day-parade-moscow.html
