VLADIMIR Putin was accompanied by his feared nuclear briefcase as he issued a chilling threat of global war during the Victory Day parade in Moscow.
In addition to the embarrassment of showing only one tank, the show’s broadcast appeared to be littered with images of dead Russian troops and ruined military equipment.
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Columns of missiles and armored vehicles passed through Red Square this morning and squadrons of fighter jets roared overhead as Putin declared that Russia was “ready” to attack the West.
About 9,000 soldiers, including about 1,000 who fought in Ukraine, took part in the annual event celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
May 9 parades are held throughout Russia as a means to show the world the strength of the Russian military machine, remember wartime sacrifices and generate national pride.
Flanking the 71-year-old tyrant at all times were his bodyguards, who were seen carrying the infamous nuclear briefcase, a lethal sign of Russia’s ability to provoke World War III.
Like America’s “nuclear football,” Russia’s portable nuclear button, the Cheget, is under 24-hour surveillance by armed guards and has a personalized key code.
Today, the briefcase remained firmly close to Putin’s side as did the protective shields used in case of an assassination threat.
As Russia’s tensions with the West rise to Cold War levels, Putin seized the moment to issue another harsh reminder of Russia’s nuclear power.
The despot smiled as three of his massive Yars atomic missile launchers rumbled over the cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square.
The soldiers stood at attention when Putin warned: “Russia will do everything to avoid global confrontation, but it will not allow anyone to threaten us.”
“Our strategic forces are always in a state of combat readiness.”
HACKED TRANSMISSION
In a possible major security blunder, the military parade broadcast was targeted by anti-Putin hackers.
The apparent attack on smart TVs across Russia lasted more than 20 seconds and the ceremony was interrupted by grim images showing the reality of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Fields of dead soldiers, a squad blown up in a trench, the remains of bombed tanks and combat vehicles and dozens of helmets of fallen troops covered the screens.
It is still unclear who was behind the hack.
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However, the voice of an unknown narrator fumes: “We’re working hard for them. They were trying to distract us from all their blunders with a war with the nation closest to us.
“Fuck, they were awake too and they don’t know how to get out of this and what lies to tell us next.”
He then cut to a clip of Putin saying: “The special military operation may take a long time.”
He also paired an image of Moscow troops in a ‘Z’ formation, the symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, alongside World War II German soldiers forming a Nazi swastika.
The voice continued: “If this is the fight against Nazism, then he himself should be judged for making excuses for Hitler… After this, he dares to approach the veterans?
“Someone should spit in his face and not shake his hand.”
SCALE
Russia today wrapped itself in a patriotic spectacle for Victory Day, but this year’s event was a much simpler parade signaling the tensions of war.
For the second year in a row, it only featured one light tank: supposedly an 80-year-old T-34.
Amid all the pomp and propaganda, there was a distinct lack of military equipment on display compared to events leading up to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
In a blow to Putin, many regional parades were even canceled this year over what governors called “security concerns.”
Russia has suffered enormous losses of both troops and equipment on the battlefield.
A UK intelligence assessment last week suggested that 450,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded in Ukraine, with losses rising to 1,300 soldiers a day over the past two months.
He also claimed that Russia had lost 3,000 main battle tanks, 10,000 armored vehicles, 109 aircraft and 23 warships in the war so far.
In one of his shortest speeches yet on Victory Day, Putin said: “We must never forget the lessons of World War II… and never forget our allies.”
Ignoring the role played by the United Kingdom, the United States and other allied nations in what Russia calls its “Great Patriotic War,” Putin lavished praise on China.
The dictator also took advantage of the moment to tell his citizens that Russia’s sovereignty was threatened.
“Dear friends, Russia is now going through a difficult and crucial period. The destiny of the Fatherland, its future depends on each of us,” he said.
He praised the “heroes” fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of fomenting conflicts around the world.
After calling for a minute of silence, Putin ended with the words: “For Russia! For victory! Hurray!”, signaling for thousands of soldiers to respond with three cheers.
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What is Russian Victory Day?
On May 9, Russia celebrates Victory Day. But what is this?
This year marks the 79th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in what Russians call the “Great Patriotic War,” more than any other country.
Victory Day is one of the most important holidays in Russia.
For Putin, it is an opportunity to project to his people an image of Russia as a powerful and winning nation, standing on the right side of history to defeat fascism.
The unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany came into effect at 11:01 p.m. on May 8, 1945, marked as “Victory in Europe Day” by France, Great Britain, and the United States.
In Moscow it was already May 9, which became the “Victory Day” of the Soviet Union.
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin declared a holiday and on June 24, 1945, the first victory parade was held in Red Square, with captured German insignia.
Under Putin, Victory Day increasingly became a powerful display not only of marching battalions but also of Russia’s latest weaponry, including fighter jets, tanks and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles.
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The alliance between the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia in World War II
In World War II, the three great allied powers: the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union formed an alliance that was key to ensuring the victory of Nazi Germany.
On New Year’s Day 1942, the three nations signed the United Nations Declaration to unite to fight the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan).
The “Big Three” met at Yalta in February 1945 as they approached Germany from both the east and the west with very different objectives.
Soviet forces drove back Nazi forces to Berlin, where Hitler committed suicide and the red flag of Soviet victory was raised over the German Reichstag in 1945.
The alliance ended after the Nazis’ unconditional surrender came into effect at 11:01 p.m. on May 8, 1945.
The Soviet Union lost about 27 million people in the war, an estimate many historians consider conservative and one that left scars on virtually every family.
In his speech today, Putin said: “In the West, they would like to forget the lessons of World War II,” adding that Russia honored all allies involved in the defeat of Nazi Germany.
However, he did not mention these allies by name, but rather praised the Chinese people’s struggle against Japanese imperialism.
Putin added: “But we remember that the fate of humanity was decided in the great battles near Moscow and Leningrad, Rzhev, Stalingrad, Kursk and Kharkiv, near Minsk, Smolensk and kyiv, in harsh and bloody battles from Murmansk to the Caucasus and Crimea.”
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