Humiliation for Putin as no tanks to take part in Russian military parade

Vladimir Putin has been left humiliated after being forced to scale back Russia’s annual Victory Day parade due to fears of Ukrainian strikes. No tanks, missiles or other military equipment will be displayed in Moscow’s Red Square during the May 9 parade which marks the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

Russia’s defence ministry cited the “current operational situation” as a reason for excluding the weapons and cadets from the event. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who argued this year does not represent a major anniversary, said: “The Kyiv regime, which is losing ground on the battlefield every day, has now launched full-scale terrorist activity. All measures are being taken to minimise the danger.”

Ukraine has ramped up attacks on targets deep inside Russia in recent months.

Moscow has come under a series of Ukrainian drone attacks, and Russian energy facilities have also been struck, including an oil pumping station in the city of Perm overnight.

The scaling back of the parade is a clear sign of the Kremlin’s fears over the threat posed by Kyiv’s armed forces and comes as Russia struggles to break through Ukrainian defences in the Donbas.

An adviser to Mr Putin said the Russian leader told US President Donald Trump he was ready to declare a ceasefire with Ukraine for the Victory Day holiday. Russia typically flexes its military muscles at the Victory Day parade, showing off weapons including tanks, artillery and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The event is a source of patriotic pride, and Mr Putin has tried to use it to justify the war in Ukraine, which began more than four years ago. The Russian despot has repeatedly made unfounded claims that Ukraine is a “neo-Nazi regime”.

Next month’s parade will include troops, veterans from the Ukraine war and a traditional flypast, the Kremlin said.

Last year’s parade — which marked 80 years since Soviet victory over Nazi Germany — was the largest since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

More than 11,500 troops and more than 180 military vehicles, including those used on the frontline in Ukraine, featured.

It was also attended by global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.