Global Courant 2023-05-09 14:56:47
President Vladimir Putin has told Russians that the world is at a turning point and that they are engaged in a patriotic struggle as the country celebrated the anniversary of its 1945 victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“Today, civilization stands once again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against our fatherland,” he said in a 10-minute speech on Moscow’s Red Square on Tuesday.
The leaders of former Soviet allies Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan were welcomed to the Kremlin before taking the stage outside for a military parade. Then the leaders laid flowers at the eternal flame near the Kremlin walls.
Victory Day has become a central event under Putin, who says independent Ukraine represents a return from the threat of World War II, but this year’s event was a trimmed down affair due to security concerns as Russia’s war in Ukraine intensifies is becoming.
After Putin spoke, the military parade began with a band performing and cannon salutes.
Soldiers marched across the square, followed by tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear weapons.
But a fighter jet flyover was canceled and parades in some other cities scaled back or called off due to a shortage of Russian troops and weapons at the front in Ukraine.
Rural authorities organized the traditional “Immortal Regiment” processions, in which people carry portraits of relatives who fought against the Nazis.
Moscow-based journalist Yulia Shapovalov told Al Jazeera: “Normally it takes an hour, but today it took 47 minutes.
“Critics say that a celebration of Victory Day has turned into a demonstration of strength and clash of arms … and (that) people (have) stopped thinking about peace and the value of life,” she said.
From right: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attend a Victory Day military parade in Red Square (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/pool via Reuters)
Putin repeated familiar messages he delivered many times in the nearly 15 months of the Russian war in Ukraine.
“Western globalist elites” sowed Russophobia and aggressive nationalism, while the Ukrainian people were “hostage to a coup” and the ambitions of the West, he said.
“Their goal, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the collapse and destruction of our country,” he said, promising that Moscow would overcome this.
“We have rejected international terrorism. We will protect the people of the (Eastern Ukrainian) Donbas. We will ensure our safety,” he said.
This appeared to be a reference to an unprecedented series of attacks on Russian soil leading up to the Victory Day parade, including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin citadel less than a week ago, which Moscow blamed on Kiev and Washington. Ukraine and the United States denied playing any role in the alleged attack, which left no one injured, and said the Kiev battle was a defensive battle.
But Putin did not directly address the challenges facing Russia as his troops prepare for an expected major counter-offensive by Ukraine. Nor did he outline a path to victory.
He called on Russia to triumph: “For Russia, for our armed forces, for victory! Hurrah!”
Putin told the soldiers participating in Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine, several hundred of whom were present at the Red Square parade, that “the whole country is with you.”
“There is nothing more important now than your combat efforts,” he said.
“The security of the country rests on you today,” Putin said. “The future of our state and our people depends on you.”
Earlier, Russia launched about 15 cruise missiles against Ukraine’s capital, its second strike in as many days. Ukraine said its air defense systems shot them all down after air strike warnings blared over most of the country.
Kiev symbolized its break with Moscow this year by moving the anniversary of the Nazi defeat to May 8, in line with its European allies.
On May 9, Ukraine instead celebrated Europe Day, celebrating a declaration that led to the creation of the body that became the European Union.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was present, who tweeted a photo of her arriving at a station in Kiev by train.
“Good to be back in Kiev. Where the values we hold dear are defended every day,” she posted, calling it “such a fitting place to celebrate Europe Day”.
Russian soldiers march to Red Square to attend a Victory Day parade (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
