Putin’s Pathetic Parade

Key Points:

• Russia’s 2024 Victory Day parade was notably subdued, with heavy weaponry displayed only via video and many participants marching with cardboard tanks and planes, reflecting Russia’s military and political challenges amid the Ukraine conflict.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky cleverly issued an executive order permitting the Moscow parade for "humanitarian purposes," mocking Putin and drawing sharp criticism from Russian war hawks, highlighting Moscow’s vulnerability to Ukrainian drone threats.
• Putin’s appearance at the parade was cautious and tense, with a defiant speech about fighting NATO-backed forces, but his post-parade comments hinted at possible war fatigue and reluctance to fully commit to peace without addressing historical grievances.
• The event underscored Russia’s international isolation, with only a handful of foreign leaders attending and notable absences from traditional allies, while North Korean troops were prominently featured, emphasizing Moscow’s shrinking diplomatic support.
• Despite the official spectacle, there were signs of domestic dissent, including the arrest of an elderly antiwar protester in St. Petersburg, and poignant moments like widows of fallen soldiers marching in uniform, illustrating the deep human cost and growing public unease.