Why Russia’s Victory Day parade was a pared-down affair

Source: The Hill | May 9, 2023 | Brad Dress

Russia’s Victory Day is typically a huge day of celebration across the country and a time for Moscow to flex its military muscle.

But this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered just a brief speech in the Red Square to mark Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

And the roughly 10-minute parade was described by his supporters and critics alike as notably lackluster, featuring just one Soviet-era tank. There were also about 8,000 troops present, mostly cadets, compared to the usual 11,000.

The scaled-down performance may have been strategic. Ludmila Isurin, a professor at Ohio State University who studies Eastern Europe, said Putin knew his country “would not appreciate a big show of military might when their sons are dying.”

“It’s not really in their mentality to appreciate any grand celebration when the country is at war,” she said.

Yet Putin’s critics still seized on the diminished celebrations.

Anton Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs, said Russia “didn’t have any modern tanks, infantry fighting vehicles or aviation.”

“It was one of the smallest in Russian history, taking less than 10 minutes,” Gerashchenko tweeted.

Some Russians were also critical of the event. Yelena Orlova told the Associated Press the parade was simply “weak.”

“We’re upset, but that’s all right,” Orlova said. “It will be better in the future.”

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