Russian President Putin Cancels May 9 Victory Day Parade Celebrations In Regional Capitals

Atlantic Council: Putin cancels Victory Day parades as Ukraine invasion continues to unravel 

With Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations less than one month away, the Kremlin has taken the highly unusual step of canceling a number of military parades in regional capitals. Scheduled parades to mark the World War II Soviet victory over Nazi Germany have been called off in Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, which both border Ukraine. Victory Day celebrations in Russian-occupied Crimea have also reportedly been scrapped. 

The cancellations are officially due to security concerns related to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, numerous commentators have speculated that Moscow is also increasingly short of tanks and is understandably eager to avoid highlighting the scale of the losses suffered by the Russian army in Ukraine. Whether the real reason is security issues or equipment shortages, the decision to cancel this year’s Victory Day parades represents a painful blow for Vladimir Putin that hints at the grim reality behind Moscow’s upbeat propaganda portrayals of his faltering Ukraine invasion. 

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WNU Editor: There is a lot of speculation from Western media sources on why this year's Victory Day celebrations got cancelled in a number of regional capitals. Not enough tanks/equipment and security concerns are often cited. I think the reason why these parades were cancelled is more basic. Everyone's focus in Russia right now is on winning the war, and not on having a parade. 

Update: It is not only the Victory Day parades that are being cancelled .... May 1 parade in Moscow cancelled due to "terror attacks" threat (The New Voice of Ukraine).

Russia Victory Day Celebrations -- News Roundup May 9, 2022

 

RT: Russia marks victory over Nazi Germany with major military parade (FULL VIDEO) 

More than 10,000 troops participated in the event, along with armored vehicles and aircraft Up to 11,000 troops marched on Moscow’s iconic Red Square on Monday as Russia celebrated the 77th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. 

The conflict is largely called the Great Patriotic War in Russia, and May 9 is one of the country’s most revered holidays. The marching columns represented all branches of Russia’s Armed Forces, including airborne troops, military police, national guardsmen and cadets. 

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WNU Editor: Russian President Putin's Victory Day speech is below: 

 

Victory Day Celebration News Coverage From Russia  

Russia holds Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square -- TASS  

Russian Olympic hero leads brigade at Victory Day parade -- RT  

Putin Hails Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine at Russia’s Victory Day Parade -- Moscow Times  

Putin highly commends Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square -- TASS 

Russia's Ukraine operation 'preemptive' – Putin -- RT  

Russia Pre-emptively Repelled Aggression With Ukraine Op, Says Putin in Victory Day Speech -- Sputnik

Russian people will never give up love for country, traditional values — Putin -- TASS

Putin: If There Was Any Possibility to Resolve Donbass Problem Peacefully, Russia Would Have Used It -- Sputnik  

Donbass militia, Russian forces fighting on land where ancestors routed enemy, says Putin -- TASS  

Massive ‘Immortal Regiment’ procession in Moscow on Victory Day -- RT

Putin joins Immortal Regiment march in Moscow -- TASS 

Thousands Join Immortal Regiment March in Moscow on 77th Victory Day -- Sputnik  

Kherson celebrates Victory Day despite provocations, authorities say -- TASS  

Anti-War Activists Stage ‘Guerrilla’ Protests on Victory Day -- Moscow Times 

 In Photos: Moscow’s Victory Day Military Parade -- Moscow Times 

Victory Day Celebration News Coverage From Outside Of Russia 

Russia marks WWII victory overshadowed by Ukraine -- AP  

Moscow marks Victory Day in shadow of Ukraine conflict -- France 24  

Pro-military symbols adorn shop windows of western brands in Moscow -- Reuters  

Putin channels victory over Hitler to spur Russian army in Ukraine -- Reuters  

Putin says Russia fighting for motherland in Ukraine in Victory Day speech -- BBC  

Putin uses anniversary of Europe's WWII victory to justify Ukraine war -- France 24  

Russia: Vladimir Putin defends Ukraine war in Victory Day speech -- DW  

Putin twists the truth as he declares Russia is now fighting for its survival during Victory Day parade featuring Ukraine invasion 'Z' symbols – while Doomsday jet flyover is mysteriously axed -- Daily Mail  

Putin ties Ukraine invasion to second world war in Victory Day speech -- The Guardian  

Vladimir Putin compares Russia's invasion of Ukraine to WWII at Victory Day parade -- ABC News Australia 

Ukraine War: Putin gives few clues in Victory Day speech -- BBC  

Good Sign? No Nuclear Threats Or 'Doomsday Plane' At Toned-Down Victory Day Parade In Moscow -- Zero Hedge  

Putin announces no new escalation on long awaited Victory Day -- Reuters  

Putin uses Victory Day speech to rehash list of grievances against west -- The Guardian 

 Reactions to Putin's Victory Day speech -- Reuters  

Pro-Russia separatists fete Soviet WWII victory in Ukraine's Mariupol -- France 24 

 AP PHOTOS: Russia marks victory over Nazi Germany in WWII -- AP 

 In pictures: Russia's victory day parade -- BBC

LIVE: Moscow - Victory Day Parade on Red Square

 

WNU Editor: Below is the live stream of the Victory Parade 2022 on Palace Square in St Petersburg, Russia.

 

LIVE: Moscow - Military Vehicles Roll In Ahead Of Victory Day Parade

Russia Holds Final Rehearsal for V-Day Parade

Russia Preparing For May 9 Victory Day Celebrations

 

Moscow Times: Z-symbols, Fewer Tanks and No Guests: Russia Prepares to Mark Victory Day as Ukraine War Rages 

Russia will mark Monday the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazism amid expectations that ongoing fighting in Ukraine will cast a long shadow over the popular event. 

In particular, the set piece military parade on Moscow’s Red Square will see significantly fewer soldiers and equipment compared to last year, which experts have linked to significant losses sustained by Russia in its ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine. 

“This is one of the few times when Russia is conducting a conventional war at its borders at the same time as having the parade,” Aglaya Snetkov, an expert in Russian foreign policy at University College London told The Moscow Times.  

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WNU Editor: The focus on this year's Victory Day celebrations in Russia will be focused on the sacrifices that were made to win the Second World War, and to maintain public support for the war in Ukraine. I do not expect a formal declaration of war or a full mobilization of the country, nor a declaration that Russia has achieved its military goals in Ukraine, and will cease military operations. 

Russia Preparing For May 9 Victory Day Celebrations  

Moscow's mood ahead of Victory Day mixes anxiety and resilience -- Reuters  

What Is Putin Planning for May 9? -- Jonah Shepp, New York Magazine  

Is Putin preparing for total war on 9 May? -- Phillips O’Brien, the Spectator  

All-out war on Ukraine? Putin could be gearing up for something big on May 9 -- CNBC  

Victory Day Mobilization Call Unlikely, But Putin Will Seek To Mobilize Russian Society -- RFE  

Russia: What is Victory Day, and why is it important this May 9? -- Al Jazeera

Russian Jet Fighters, Bombers, And Helicopters Fly Over Moscow’s Red Square During Victory Day Parade (May 9, 2021)

 

RT: WATCH: Russian warplanes shine in fly-over at Victory Day parade in Moscow despite gloomy weather  

Russian jet fighters and helicopters of all shapes and sizes flew over Moscow’s Red Square on Sunday, as Russia celebrated victory over Nazism in WWII. 

There were worries that the aircraft would be grounded due to the cloudy weather, but the planes were cleared for flight at the last moment. 

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WNU Editor: My favorite part of the above video was how they filmed the four SU-57 in formation over Moscow (see video below). 

Victory Day Parade In Moscow (Video)

 

WNU Editor: The first video has no translation. I prefer to watch the parade live and in Russian. The second video has an English translation.

Russian Military Rehearse For Sunday's WW2 Victory Day Parade

Russia's extravagant preparation for its annual victory day parade has been pictured in Moscow's Red Square on Friday ahead of the 76th anniversary Nazi Germany's surrender and the end of the Second World War. Pictured: Servicewomen march in formation during a dress rehearsal of a Victory Day military parade marking the 76th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, in Moscow's Red Square, May 7, 2021  

Daily Mail: Putin’s glamorous troops prepare alongside Russia’s deadliest weaponry in Moscow’s Red Square as they rehearse for Sunday’s WW2 Victory Day parade 

 * A huge dress rehearsal has been held in Moscow's Red Square and elsewhere in the country ahead of May 9

 * The parade is for the Soviet Union's 76th anniversary of it victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War 

 * Russia celebrates victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, the day after most countries in Western Europe 

 * Every year, the Russian president gives a speech, and it is one of the most watched global events of the year 

Preparation for Russia's extravagant annual victory day parade have been held in Moscow's Red Square on Friday ahead of the 76th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender and the end of the Second World War. 

The huge celebration is held every year on May 9, a day after Western Europe celebrates VE Day on May 8 due to the time difference between Russia and other Soviet Bloc countries, and Central European Time. 

Thousands of glamorous soldiers have been pictured during a dress rehearsal for Sunday's event, which will see the military demonstrate its might in Moscow's Red Square in front of the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin.  

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WNU Editor: It has been a few years since I saw my last Victory Day parade. It is always a sight to see. And there is a contingent of Cossacks who are going to show up in the parade. Now that is going to be cool.