Russia shows its teeth with Victory Day parade
Why this year’s Red Square event was worth watching
Fresh from his inauguration for a fourth term as president ,Vladimir Putin used this year’s Victory Day parade in Moscow to reaffirm Russia’s willingness to defend itself against Western aggression.
As well as thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks, the annual military parade through Red Square showcased some of Russia’s most advanced weaponry. This included nuclear missiles, a flypast by Russia’s new SU-57 stealth fighter, which has recently been deployed to Syria, and a new hypersonic missile, known as the Kinzhal, which Putin recently described as “invincible”.
The Victory Day parade, which commemorates the 27 million Russians who died defeating Nazi Germany in the Second World War, has become “a major public ritual in Russia”, says CNN.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Russia’s role in defeating Nazism has assumed even greater significance since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of superpower status in the 1990s.
In recent years, says The Guardian, “critics have accused the Kremlin of using the holiday to push an aggressive form of nationalism”. Reuters says the authorities “use the event to boost patriotic feeling and show the world and potential buyers of military hardware how a multi-billion dollar modernisation programme is changing the face of the Russian military”.
Since coming to power, Putin has increased military spending significantly, handed the military significant policy-making clout, and deployed Russian forces in Ukraine and Syria.
While Putin has stated he does not want a new arms race, with relations with the West at their worst levels since the Cold War, he used this year’s Victory Day parade to warn potential enemies that Russia has the capabilities and the will to defend itself from attack.
“Peace is very fragile,” Putin said in a speech marking the start of the parade. “We remember the tragedies of the two world wars, about the lessons of history which do not allow us to become blind. The same old ugly traits are appearing along with new threats: egoism, intolerance, aggressive nationalism and claims to exceptionalism.”
“We understand the full seriousness of those threats,” he added.
In a reminder of the complex geopolitics of Russia’s position, Putin was joined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Moscow for talks on Syria. While Russia is a staunch ally of Israel’s sworn enemy, Iran, Netanyahu’s visit is a tacit acknowledgment of Putin’s role as the Middle East’s primary power broker.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Growing turmoil in resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo
Under the Radar South African troops help army battle rebel groups in the world's leading cobalt producing country
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published