Overview

• Russia held its 80th Victory Day parade in Moscow, showcasing military displays and hosting over 20 foreign dignitaries, including China's Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
• The Kremlin declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire for the event, but Ukraine accused Russia of violating it hundreds of times, reporting continued attacks on Ukrainian territory.
• Heightened security measures, including airport closures and mobile internet disruptions, were implemented in Moscow following Ukrainian drone strikes earlier in the week.
• Ukrainian officials dismissed the parade as propaganda, criticizing it as an attempt to mask resource strains and ongoing losses in the war with outdated Soviet-era equipment on display.
• The attendance of leaders from nations like China and Slovakia highlighted Russia's efforts to counter Western isolation and reinforce its global alliances.