Overview

• Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the largest Victory Day parade yet in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping's high-profile attendance highlighted the deepening Sino-Russian alliance as both nations push back against Western influence and sanctions.
• Putin declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire during the celebrations, but Ukraine dismissed it as a propaganda ploy, citing hundreds of alleged violations by Russian forces.
• Tight security measures, including mobile internet jamming and airspace restrictions, were enforced in Moscow following recent Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital.
• While over 20 foreign leaders attended, only Slovakia's Robert Fico and Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić represented Europe, underscoring Russia's partial diplomatic isolation.