2024-05-11 07:28:12
Moscow: Russia held its 79th ‘Victory Day’ military parade on Thursday as the war with Ukraine entered its third year. On May 9, Russia celebrates the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II. During this, thousands of Russian soldiers parade with weapons through Red Square in the Russian capital Moscow. Russia also wants to draw parallels with the 1945 victory over Germany and the current war with Ukraine through the parade. Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected the parade for the 21st time as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. This year’s parade also saw the display of Yars mobile strategic missile system, Iskander M operational tactical missile system and S-400 anti-aircraft missile system launcher. Putin also showed the world a glimpse of important components of Russia’s nuclear defense.
Army regiments, battalions and companies, school cadets and youth army cadets participated in the parade. Russia’s defense minister said celebrations and festivals were held in several cities, with 150,000 people attending and 2,500 types of weapons and military equipment on display. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Cuba are on the list of guests at the parade. Addressing the parade, President Putin said that Russia will do everything to avoid global confrontation but will not allow anyone to threaten us. He reiterated that the country’s strategic nuclear forces are always ready for war.
Russia claims lead in Ukraine
This year’s parade comes amid a growing advance by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, with a large-scale offensive expected in early summer, according to military officials. Ukrainian forces have been forced to retreat in some areas over the past few weeks, opening the way for Russian forces to advance in the areas around Avdiivka in Donetsk. The city was captured in February in a significant victory for Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that two other villages in Donetsk and its neighboring region to the north, Kharkiv, were seized.
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On the other hand, ahead of Victory Day, Ukrainian military officials claimed that Russian forces were aiming to capture Chasiv Yar, a strategic city of Donetsk, by May 9 but this has not happened yet. Timing is of the essence for Russian forces as the long-delayed $61 billion package got US approval in April. After this, Ukrainian forces want to return to the war zone after completing the ammunition supply. On the other hand, Russia does not want to miss this opportunity.