North Korean troops join scaled back Putin parade

V-DAY CELEBRATIONS | President says Russia will win Ukraine war

AP Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday voiced confidence of victory in Ukraine as he oversaw a military parade on Red Square commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII, a show that didn't include heavy weapons for the first time in nearly two decades.

Security was tight in Moscow as Putin and foreign leaders attended the parade, which was scaled down even as a US-brokered three-day ceasefire eased concerns about possible Ukrainian attempts to disrupt the festivities. Putin, in power for over a quarter-century, has used Victory Day, Russia's most important secular holiday, to showcase the country's military might and rally support for his military action in Ukraine, now in its fifth year.

Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, declaring they “face an aggressive force that is armed and supported by the Nato,” and are fighting for a “just cause”.

“Victory has always been and will be ours,” Putin said, as columns of troops lined up on Red Square. “The key to success is our moral strength, courage and valour, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge.” 

But in a notable shift this year, the parade took place without tanks, missiles and other heavy equipment, aside from a traditional flyover of combat jets.

Officials explained the sudden change of format by the “current operational situation” and said additional security measures have been taken in response to the threat of Ukrainian attacks. 

State television commentators said the heavy weaponry was more needed on the battlefield in Ukraine.

For the first time, Saturday's parade featured troops from North Korea (R), tribute to Pyongyang that sent its soldiers to fight alongside Moscow forces to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk.

Trump truce

US President Donald Trump announced Russia and Ukraine have bowed to his request for a ceasefire running Saturday through Monday and an exchange of prisoners, declaring the break in fighting could be the “beginning of the end” of the war. Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, while President Volodymyr Zelen­sk­yy annou­nced a truce that was supposed to begin on May 6, but neither of them held as the parties traded blame for continuing attacks.