Speculations about cancellation: will Putin appear at the military parade today?

2023-05-09 06:53:00

Under high security precautions, Russian President Vladimir Putin is also to appear at the big military parade on Red Square in Moscow. Putin is expected to comment in his speech on the ongoing attacks on Ukraine for more than 14 months, which Russian propaganda portrays as a World War II-style fight once morest fascism. Contrary to what was originally announced, foreign heads of state and government are now to be guests on the honorary stand – namely from the ex-Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia.

In the past few days, there has been repeated speculation as to whether the parade, in which more than 10,000 soldiers traditionally march and military technology is shown, will actually take place or whether it will be canceled for security reasons.

Only a few days ago, two drones had penetrated the Kremlin premises. They were able to be brought down by anti-aircraft defenses over the dome of the Senate Palace. Moscow holds Kiev responsible for the alleged attempted assassination of Putin. Ukraine rejects this and speaks of a Russian staging.

However, the traditional march “Immortal Regiment”, which is usually held following the parade, was canceled for this year in Moscow. According to media reports, the parades themselves have also been canceled in more than 20 other Russian cities because of the high security risk. In the past few weeks, there have been attacks, especially in southern Russia and on the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.