Red Square V-Day parade scaled back due to Ukrainian drone strike fears

"Well, you know, much of the scene was familiar, including the location - of course, Red Square - the goose-stepping soldiers and Vladimir Putin, who has traditionally used this event to highlight Russia's rising military might. And yet, for the first time in nearly 20 years, this victory day parade featured no tanks, no missiles, no nuclear launchers. Guests were few. Media was restricted, including NPR. My invitation was revoked at the last minute. And all of this was a reflection of the Kremlin's concerns over security and, in particular, over potential Ukrainian drone strikes interrupting the proceedings."

"Yeah, that's right. You know, both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to a last-minute three-day ceasefire that was negotiated by President Trump and included a prisoner swap, which seems to have been what convinced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to go along with it. He said the return of 1,000 Ukrainian POWs was far more important than whether any parade happened in Moscow, although he did provide the Kremlin's coordinates when instructing his military not to strike. Russia also accused Ukraine of some ceasefire violations elsewhere around the country. But again, the main fear was of something happening in Moscow, which Russia v"

Russia held scaled-back Victory Day commemorations on Red Square in Moscow amid concerns about potential Ukrainian drone strikes. The parade featured familiar elements such as goose-stepping soldiers and Vladimir Putin, but for the first time in nearly 20 years it included no tanks, missiles, or nuclear launchers. Foreign media access was restricted, including NPR, and invitations were revoked at the last minute. The Kremlin’s security concerns centered on preventing disruptions in Moscow. A last-minute three-day ceasefire negotiated by the U.S. and involving a prisoner swap largely held, and Ukraine’s leadership indicated the return of 1,000 POWs mattered more than whether a parade occurred. Russia accused Ukraine of some ceasefire violations elsewhere.

Read at www.npr.org