Putin marks Victory Day as Ukraine ceasefire holds into third day
Russia's scaled-down military parade proceeded as a temporary three-day truce in the Ukraine war remained in effect.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin led a reduced Victory Day celebration as a temporary ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict entered its third day, according to POLITICO Europe.
The annual May 9 military parade in Moscow proceeded with fewer personnel and equipment than in previous years, reflecting constraints on Russia's armed forces. The three-day truce represents a rare pause in active combat operations that have devastated eastern Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion.
Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and remains a significant state occasion in Russia. The scaled-down nature of this year's celebration signals the toll of sustained warfare on Russian military capacity.
The ceasefire's stability remains uncertain, with no official statements from either Moscow or Kyiv indicating whether the pause would extend beyond the initial three-day window. International observers are monitoring developments closely as negotiations continue.