Moscow, Russia| In a grand spectacle heavy with symbolism and geopolitical undertones, Russia held its annual Victory Day military parade on Thursday morning, commemorating 80 years since the Soviet Union’s historic victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Set against the imposing backdrop of Red Square, the event offered a striking mix of pageantry, military power, and international diplomacy as President Vladimir Putin presided over the ceremonies flanked by Chinese President Xi Jinping and a cohort of allied world leaders.
The event marked a full-scale return of the annual commemoration after last year’s scaled-down version, which had been limited by logistical challenges and the continued demands of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
This year, however, the Kremlin used the occasion to deliver a clear message: Russia remains a potent global force—militarily, diplomatically, and ideologically—despite mounting Western sanctions and its international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine.
In his opening remarks, President Putin invoked the memory of the Soviet triumph in 1945 as a unifying national legacy and a source of enduring strength.
“Let us raise our glasses to the generation of victors, to the Great Victory, to peace and prosperity—for you and our friends,” Putin said during a formal state dinner on the eve of the parade.
His speech emphasized themes of resilience, patriotism, and the continuity of Russian greatness from the Soviet era to the present day.
One of the most notable features of this year’s celebration was the prominent presence of President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese leader’s attendance—along with that of more than 15 heads of state from countries including Brazil, Serbia, Slovakia, and several Central Asian nations—signaled a tightening alignment between Moscow and Beijing.
Their united front was widely interpreted as a diplomatic counterweight to the Western bloc, particularly the U.S. and NATO.
The visual of Putin and Xi standing shoulder to shoulder on the Kremlin’s reviewing stand was a powerful image of Sino-Russian solidarity at a time of shifting global power dynamics.
Also drawing attention was the participation of military units from 13 foreign nations, including contingents from China, Vietnam, Belarus, Egypt, and Laos.
These delegations marched alongside Russian troops, underscoring Moscow’s pivot toward non-Western alliances.
Although North Korea was notably absent from the parade in terms of troop presence, it did send a high-ranking diplomatic representative, suggesting continued behind-the-scenes coordination.
The military hardware on display featured a range of advanced equipment, from battle tanks and missile launchers to state-of-the-art air defense systems.
The parade culminated in a dramatic flyover by the Russian Air Force, serving as both a patriotic finale and a reminder of the country’s formidable aerial capabilities.
Beyond the ceremony, the broader implications of the event were clear. Analysts see the parade as a strategic effort to bolster President Putin’s domestic standing, reinforce national unity, and project strength to both allies and adversaries.
It also served to highlight Russia’s resistance to what it views as Western hegemony and moral decay—an ongoing theme in Kremlin rhetoric.
International reactions were mixed. While participating nations framed their involvement as honoring the shared sacrifices of World War II, Western officials viewed the event with skepticism, interpreting it as a militarized display meant to legitimize Russia’s current military actions, especially in Ukraine.
With the war now in its fourth year and showing no signs of abating, the Victory Day Parade doubled as a political message: Russia is not backing down.
Moreover, the attendance of multiple leaders from the Global South, particularly from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, reflected Russia’s ongoing efforts to build a multipolar world order—one in which Western influence is diluted, and Moscow plays a central role.
The blending of military spectacle with diplomatic outreach showcased Russia’s ambition to lead a coalition of like-minded nations disenchanted with the Western-led international system.
In essence, the 2025 Victory Day Parade was not only a commemoration of the past but a carefully staged declaration of Russia’s current worldview.
It was a display of defiance, solidarity, and strategic recalibration in an increasingly divided global landscape.
Share This Post