Russia projects ‘business as usual’ image on anticlimactic Victory Day
A Kamaz-43269 Vystrel 4x4 armoured vehicle with a new Spica RWS, featuring a 30mm autocannon and a 40mm grenade launcher, pictured during the 2022 Victory Day Parade in Nizhny Novgorod. (Image: OTC)
This year’s Victory Day parade in Moscow turned out to be the opposite of what was expected.
The annual parade in Moscow on 9 May usually attracts attention, but the symbolism of this year's event was more important than ever to foreign observers given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Many international observers, analysts and senior government officials expected that the event could be used by Russian President Vladimir Putin for important announcements, such as mass mobilisation or an official declaration of war against Ukraine.
Reality proved them wrong and no major announcements were made.
International observers and Kremlinologists had spent days leading up to Victory Day forming broad assumptions based on the information revealed by officials
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister]()
Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister
Estonia is looking to boost its local defence industry with directed funding, industry parks, support through international orders for equipment and rapid prototyping.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
