Story perspectives

Putin’s Minimal Victory Parade Sparks Ceasefire, Prisoner Swap

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Vladimir Putin led a scaled-back Victory parade on May 9, omitting tanks and missile carriers and lasting 45 minutes, the shortest in Russian history.
Moscow shut down mobile internet and text messaging before the event, prompting discontent and a dip in Putin’s approval.
The parade featured North Korean soldiers and leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, while U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire, a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap without breaches.

History

Historical Context

The first Victory Parade on Red Square on 24 June 1945 featured about 40,000 Soviet troops and 1,850 vehicles, overseen by Stalin and Marshal Zhukov. After being held only on major anniversaries (1965, 1985, 1990) it became an annual event from 1995. In May 2024, President Putin’s scaled-down parade echoed that tradition, hosting leaders such as Kim Jong-un and Alexander Lukashenko.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Vladimir Putin led a scaled-back Victory parade on May 9, omitting tanks and missile carriers and lasting 45 minutes, the shortest in Russian history.
Moscow shut down mobile internet and text messaging before the event, prompting discontent and a dip in Putin’s approval.
The parade featured North Korean soldiers and leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, while U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire, a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap without breaches.

1 / 2