Russia is holding its last rehearsals today before the traditional military parade on May 9 in Moscow in honor of the victory over Nazi Germany.

It will be an occasion for a demonstration of strength in the midst of a troubled military campaign in Ukraine, AFP reported.

In recent years, President Vladimir Putin has used the parade both to demonstrate the power of his army and to showcase new, state-of-the-art weapons.

And this year's edition is no exception.

This year, although Russian tanks and troops will parade as usual on the iconic Red Square, all eyes will be on Ukraine, where Moscow has been conducting an offensive since late February, questioning the image of its army.

In fact, the military intervention, which many experts predicted would be lightning fast, has been going on for three months and has been marked by failures, especially logistical ones.

After Russian forces failed in the battle for Kyiv, which was more motivated than expected and armed by the West, the Russian General Staff had to reconsider its objectives and step up the offensive in the east and south.

President Zelensky invited German Chancellor and President to Ukraine on May 9

Undoubtedly, Putin, who will deliver the long-awaited speech, would also like to forget the loss of his flagship in the Black Sea, the cruiser Moscow, which sank last month.

The Kremlin claims the ship sank as a result of an accidental fire, but Kyiv says the coastal defense sent it to the bottom.

The parade is usually closely watched by Western capitals, and Putin has another opportunity to issue warnings, BTA notes.

USA: Russia is not making the expected progress in Donbass

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the "Doomsday Plane" - IL-80, specially designed so that the Russian president can continue to rule the country from the air in case of nuclear war, will fly over Red Square.

The parade will also feature several weapons capable of firing nuclear missiles, such as the Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile system and the Iskander short-range missile system.

This year's military parade will also take place amid fears from many Russians of a general mobilization on Ukraine, although the Kremlin has denied plans to take such a step.

The parade on May 9 became an annual tradition only after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

Putin turned the event into a spectacular television show aimed at both intimidating Moscow's opponents and maintaining Russian patriotism.

The main celebration is held on Red Square, but there will be commemorative events in dozens of cities across Russia.

Russia

moscow

Victory Day