Russian servicemen, involved in the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, march on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Igor IVANKO / AFP) Published July [...]
Putin and military leaders in this year’s ‘Victory Day’ parade – Wiki Commons Published May 12, 2026 Moscow — The Kremlin is signaling that the war in Ukraine may be approaching a critical turning point [...]
Security was tight in Moscow as Putin and several foreign leaders attended the parade, even as a U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire eased concerns about possible Ukrainian attempts to disrupt the festivities.
The event, shrunken because of security fears, adds to a sense that Moscow and other cities can no longer be insulated from the war.
President Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire over the weekend, which includes a prisoner swap. The ceasefire will last from May 9 through May 11, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The pause in fighting is for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. #Trump #Putin #Zelensky #War #Ukraine #Russia #Ceasefire
Other allied nations, however, notably Russia, celebrate Victory Day with large-scale military parades.
As the country heads into Victory Day, the economy is stalling, internet restrictions are growing and the Kremlin is fearing Ukrainian attacks.
Kremlin officials said a large strike on Kyiv would be “inevitable” if Ukraine disrupted the May 9 event, a prospect President Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared to allude to.
Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but threatened to strike back at Kyiv if it tries to disrupt festivities.