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
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
![Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align]()
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
![New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”]()
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
![Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes]()
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
