President Vladimir Putin has taken centre stage at a markedly scaled-back Victory Day parade while declaring Russia’s future “rests on” winning the war in Ukraine.
The annual show of military might in Moscow’s Red Square reportedly had 3,000 fewer soldiers.
The usual display of weapons and equipment was also lacking. There were no modern tanks, and just one old World War II-era T-34 tank.
The military flypast was cancelled without explanation.
It was the second Victory Day parade since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.
The annual event marks the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two and is Mr Putin’s chance to bolster his strongman image.
CNN reports more than 10,000 people and 125 units of weapons and equipment were expected at this year’s patriotic display, as told by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Last year the ministry announced 11,000 people and 131 types of weapons plus an airshow of 77 aircraft and helicopters.
In a ten-minute speech, Mr Putin told Russians that the world was at a key turning point.
He said Russia was engaged in a patriotic struggle for the future of their country.
“Today, civilisation is again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against our homeland. We have repulsed international terrorism, we will protect the inhabitants of Donbas, we will ensure our security,” said Putin.
Mr Putin repeated familiar messages he has delivered many times in the nearly 15 months of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He said “Western globalist elites” were sowing Russophobia and aggressive nationalism, while the Ukrainian people had become “hostages to a state coup” and to the ambitions of the West.
He did not address the challenges facing Russia as its forces prepare for an expected major counter-offensive by Ukraine, or outline any path to victory.
The parade was taking place following a wave of strikes inside Russia this month — including a purported drone attack on the Kremlin citadel itself less than a week ago.
Ukraine on Tuesday said its air defences had shot down 23 of 25 Russian cruise missiles fired chiefly at the capital Kyiv overnight and there were no reported casualties.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had “launched a concentrated strike using high-precision, long-range sea and air-based weapons aimed against enemy barracks and ammunition depots”.
After a weeks-long hiatus, Russia in late April resumed its tactic of long-range missile strikes against Ukraine and has launched a flurry of attacks in recent days.
