Russia Holds Victory Day Parade in Moscow

Russia held one of its most scaled-back Victory Day parades in years on Saturday, with only an Aurus limousine appearing as mechanized equipment on Red Square amid heightened security concerns over possible Ukrainian attacks. The event, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, featured no tanks, missiles or other heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades.

Officials attributed the downsizing to the current operational situation more than four years into the conflict in Ukraine. A three-day ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect Saturday through Monday, accompanied by an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war on each side.

Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russia's acceptance of the initiative while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited the prospect of freeing prisoners as the reason for Ukraine's consent. m. Kyiv time on Saturday. The Russian side also agreed to the arrangement, according to reports.

Earlier unilateral ceasefires announced separately by each country failed to hold, with both sides blaming the other for continued attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces ceased combat operations from midnight but accused Ukrainian forces of striking positions and civilian infrastructure in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

Ukraine reported that Russian forces continued attacks on the front line while its air defenses downed 56 Russian drones. Zelensky described the Russian unilateral ceasefire as lacking any pretense of sincerity.

The parade occurred under tight security with mobile internet and text messaging restricted across Moscow to prevent potential Ukrainian drone navigation. The Kremlin ramped up protection for Putin, citing threats from Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional security protocols were in place given the complex operational situation and terrorist threat posed by the Kyiv regime.