Putin Declares War Goals Just Amid Reduced Victory Day Celebrations
Army is fighting 'aggressive' NATO-backed force in Victory Day speech: Russian President Putin
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
In a combative Victory Day speech on May 9, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian soldiers in Ukraine are fighting an 'aggressive force' backed by NATO. The annual parade was significantly downsized due to recent Ukrainian attacks, with a three-day ceasefire agreed upon to facilitate a prisoner exchange.
- 01Putin described the conflict in Ukraine as a fight against an aggressive NATO-backed force.
- 02This year's Victory Day parade was notably smaller, lacking military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades.
- 03A three-day ceasefire was announced to coincide with the parade, allowing for a prisoner exchange.
- 04Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed adherence to the ceasefire to prioritize the return of prisoners.
- 05The ongoing war has resulted in significant casualties, marking it as Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
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During the annual Victory Day parade on May 9, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, asserting that Russian forces in Ukraine are combating an 'aggressive force' supported by NATO. He emphasized the justness of Russia's military goals, invoking the legacy of the Soviet victory in World War II. This year's celebrations were markedly reduced, featuring no military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades and attended by only a few foreign dignitaries, primarily from allied nations. The backdrop of this event included a recent spate of Ukrainian long-range attacks, prompting heightened security measures in Moscow. In a significant diplomatic move, a three-day ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, facilitating a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. Both leaders, Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed hopes for peace, with Zelensky prioritizing the lives of prisoners over the parade's significance. The ongoing conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, making it the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.
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The ceasefire and prisoner exchange may provide a temporary reprieve for families affected by the war, while the reduced parade reflects the ongoing tensions and casualties in the conflict.
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