Putin scraps Victory Day parades over drone fears
HOBBLED Vladimir Putin has cancelled showy Victory Day parades across Russia and occupied Ukraine because he cannot guarantee security from enemy drones.
The military showcases on May 9 are a sacred day in the nation’s calendar – led by a giant military show of strength on Red Square.
That will go ahead, with Putin, 71, below, said to be overseeing security himself. Last year’s Moscow parade was scaled back to just 50 military vehicles – a quarter of its previous size – and no traditional flypast.
But this year’s regional parades and fireworks, including in occupied regions of Ukraine like Sevastopol and Zaporizhzhia, have been scrapped.
The Kremlin tyrant pulled the plug after Voldodymyr
Zelensky’s forces stepped up drone blitzes on Russian soil, targeting its energy network. Other homeland regions, including Kursk and Pskov – some not close to Ukraine – have also axed Victory Day parades. These originated as a celebration of overcoming Hitler in 1945 but are now used to also commemorate other military conflicts, burnish patriotism and showcase the might of the Russian military machine.
Across the nation hundreds of marches of the Immortal Regiment – where people carry photos of their war veteran relatives – have been scrapped too for security reasons. Putin is also believed to fear the events would be hijacked by anti-war protesters.
Meanwhile, Russian students fear the tyrant will order a new round of mobilisation amid concerns he could lose the war he started.
Siberian official Konstantin Dizendorf let slip the Kremlin plan when he said: “Basically, our society understands that it is difficult for [Russia] today. We are standing on the threshold of whether we win – or not. We all understand this. And of course, most likely, there will be another call. Not for military service, but mobilisation.”
Conscripts cannot legally be forced to fight outside of Russia but may feel pressured to sign up.
Putin is estimated to need another 300,000 troops this year.
Massive new arms and ammunition supplies are due to arrive in Ukraine within days after the US Congress voted through a £49billion aid package.
Britain has promised another £500million of military aid.