Putin wants a flawless Victory Day celebration of Russian power. Ukraine could ruin it ...Middle East

The Russian war machine is gearing up to roll through Moscow’s Red Square on Friday for the annual Victory Day Parade, offering the Kremlin the chance to brandish its military might to Ukraine and its Western allies.

But Vladimir Putin’s display of power – marking the 80th anniversary of the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany – may still be foiled by Ukraine, which rejected Russia’s offer of a brief ceasefire for the event.

With no ceasefire, Russia also has no certainty that Moscow, or other major Russian cities, would be safe from attack at a pivotal moment.

Ukraine has hit targets deep inside Russia before, though attacking a major war memorial event would be a major step.

Authorities the Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol in Crimea called off their parade, citing safety concerns, Russian state media reported.

Events in at least 21 other Russian cities were cancelled last year over similar security concerns.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he could not guarantee the safety of foreign officials visiting Moscow, complicating Russia’s attempts to attract dignitaries from around the world.

Zelensky said Russia may even stage some kind of attack of its own, hoping to blame Ukraine for it. He didn’t provide any evidence for that claim.

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among some 20 leaders expected to be present for the event.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico – both among Putin’s few allies in Europe – fell ill ahead of the event, and are now unlikely to attend, outlets in their home countries reported.

Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and ally of Putin known for his extreme statements, threatened to wipe out Ukraine if it disrupts the parade.

Zelensky “understands that in the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, nobody will be able to guarantee that Kyiv will live to see May 10,” Medvedev said.

Ahead of the celebrations Putin said he wanted a three-day ceasefire from 8 to 11 May.

Zelensky in response called the Victory Day ceasefire demand a “theatrical production” that Putin only put forward to safeguard the parade.

Kyiv said it remained open to the longer ceasefire – at least 30 days – which the US first proposed in March.

Ukraine has been able to launch long-range attacks reaching Moscow before, though not on a large scale. Two drones, in May 2023, struck the Kremlin itself, although no one was injured.

square POLITICS Big Read

Why UK defence firms want to make more weapons for Britain… in Ukraine

The Kremlin said Ukraine was trying to kill Putin, though he wasn’t there at the time.

On Monday, Russian air defence units said they destroyed five drones headed for Moscow. Sergei Sobyanin, the Moscow mayor, said there was no damage from the falling debris and nobody was injured.

A total of 26 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory were destroyed overnight, Russia’s defence ministry said, including 17 headed for the Bryansk region and five over the Kaluga region, with borders Moscow.

Moscow police have also called on residents not to set off fireworks ahead of the parade, citing “a growing number of provocations involving their use,” the state news agency TASS reported.

Russian outlets said that Moscow residents were warned that mobile internet access might be cut around Victory Day as a security measure.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Putin wants a flawless Victory Day celebration of Russian power. Ukraine could ruin it )

Also on site :

• Hamas executes Palestinians for looting as desperation grows under Israeli blockade
• ALM vs GGL Dream11 Prediction Today Match, Dream11 Team Today, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update- Kuwait T10 Challengers League 2025, Match 32
• South Sacramento standoff ends with suspect surrendering to SWAT officers