The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will join foreign leaders at a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow on Saturday morning, marking the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.
According to the official schedule, the event will begin at around 09:45 local time with a reception for foreign guests attended by Putin. Leaders will then proceed together to Red Square to observe the military parade, featuring marching units and aerobatic teams.
Citing security concerns, Russian authorities said this year's parade is significantly scaled down, with no tanks nor ballistic missiles for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Commenting on the absence of heavy weaponry, Evgeny Popov, a Russian lawyer and influential state media commentator, stressed that tanks are more needed on the battlefield than on Red Square.
Victory Day, observed annually on May 9 to mark the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany, is one of Russia's most important national holidays.
On May 4, Russia announced a ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 for Victory Day celebrations and urged Ukraine to follow suit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said Ukraine would implement a unilateral ceasefire starting May 6 at midnight and called for meaningful steps toward ending the war.
Russia confirms Putin’s attendance at Victory Day parade
