Putin sends message to Russian troops at scaled-back Victory Day parade as ceasefire begins
Putin gave a speech at the Victory Day parade (Reuters)
Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree “permitting” Russia’s Victory Day military parade and confirmed Ukrainian forces would not target Moscow’s Red Square.
This followed an announcement by Donald Trump of a three-day ceasefire, covering Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, which included a prisoner swap of 1,000 individuals from each side.
Both Russia and Ukraine confirmed their observance of the ceasefire, which began at 10 am Kyiv time, with Trump stating it would suspend “all kinetic activity”.
Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
Putin used his address to praise Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, asserting they face an “aggressive force” supported by Nato, and declared that “Victory has always been and will be ours.”
