Putin oversees scaled-back Victory Day parade on Red Square

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a scaled-back military parade in Moscow's Red Square on Saturday, saying Russian soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an "aggressive force" backed by all of NATO.

The traditional Victory Day parade commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Images broadcast on state television showed a formation of soldiers carrying the Russian flag into the square.

"Victory has always been and will be ours," Putin said in his speech. "The key to success is our moral strength, courage and valor, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge."

Russian soldiers in Ukraine "are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc," he said, adding that he believed they are fighting a "just" cause.

Heightened security 

The Russian president typically uses Victory Day, a major national holiday in Russia, to showcase the country's military prowess and rally support for the war in Ukraine. But this year's festivities were scaled back over fears of a potential Ukrainian attack. For the first time in two decades, the parade won't feature tanks, missiles and other heavy weapons. 

A large security detail could be seen surrounding the president during his appearance at the parade. There were also fewer guests attending, and mobile internet access was blocked for the public in Moscow and other cities. 

Foreign leaders attending the parade included Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. 

Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia was the only EU leader visiting Moscow on Saturday, but he did not attend the parade.

"I know there were some difficulties with your trip," Putin told Fico during their meeting at the Kremlin.

"But the important thing is that you're here," he said, adding that Russia could meet Slovakia's energy demands.

3-day ceasefire in place

The parade is taking place as a three-day ceasefire brokered by the US comes into effect, allaying concerns about a Ukrainian attack on the parade. The two sides also agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners.

Russia had earlier declared a unilateral two-day ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day. Ukraine also declared its own ceasefire starting two days earlier, but the truces quickly unraveled with both sides accusing each other of continuing attacks.

The US-brokered ceasefire appeared to be holding on Saturday, with no reports of violations from either Moscow or Kyiv.

Russia downscales V-Day parade amid Ukrainian drone surge

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Edited by: Louis Oelofse