Putin holds scaled-back Victory Day parade amid Ukraine war

President Vladimir Putin presided over Russia's Victory Day parade on Moscow's Red Square, according to El País, with reduced military hardware and fewer foreign dignitaries compared to previous celebrations.

The parade marked the fifth such event since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The scaled-back nature—featuring fewer tanks and minimal international participation—reflects the impact of Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation on Russia's military capabilities and international standing.

The parade traditionally celebrates Soviet victory in World War II but has become a platform for Putin's messaging during the Ukraine conflict. The diminished spectacle underscores ongoing constraints on Russian military resources and Russia's widening international isolation.

Observers cited the reduced foreign participation as evidence of Russia's growing diplomatic isolation from traditional allies.