Russia's Victory Day Parade: Who Attended and What it Signifies

Atmosphere in Moscow on Victory Day Eve

• 🥳 Moscow is filled with a celebratory atmosphere for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, with the word "Pobeda" (Victory) prominently displayed everywhere.
• ⚠️ Security is extremely high, with roads blocked around Red Square and intermittent mobile internet disruptions due to rehearsals.
• ✈️ Fighter jets have been seen rehearsing for the fly-past, and the entire mobile network is expected to be down during the event.

Historical Context of Victory Day Parades

• 🗓️ In 1995, Victory Day saw a different atmosphere with Western leaders like President Clinton and Prime Minister John Major attending, alongside the Chinese leader.
• 🕊️ Western leaders attended a veterans-only parade, opting out of the military hardware display due to the ongoing war in Chechnya.
• 🇺🇦 The presence of veterans from across the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine, was notable, with many still alive and celebrated.

International Attendance at the 2024 Parade

• 🌍 Initially, 29 international leaders were expected, but this number has reduced to around 24-25 due to withdrawals.
• 🇨🇳 The most significant attendee is President Xi Jinping of China, who is on an official three-day visit, holding talks with President Putin.
• 🇧🇷 Other notable attendees include the presidents of Brazil, Serbia, and Venezuela, with representation from BRICS nations and allies from Latin America.
• 🌍 An emerging group of attendees includes leaders from African nations like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.
• 📉 Attendance has significantly increased from previous years (zero in 2022, seven in 2023) indicating Putin's success in breaking Western-imposed isolation.

Xi Jinping's Role and Potential Ceasefire

• 🤝 While China has brokered deals like the Saudi-Iran agreement, a ceasefire in Ukraine is not seen as immediately likely, especially with US political dynamics.
• 💡 Xi Jinping's visit lends support to Putin, and China's continued trade and oil purchases are seen as crucial for Russia.
• 📈 The visit is viewed as a significant political and business event for Putin, showcasing a powerful international partner.

Information Warfare and Access in Russia

• 📡 Ukraine and its allies attempt to break through Russia's information barrier using Russian-language media and platforms like Telegram.
• 🌐 While state propaganda is prevalent, many Russians choose to circumvent blocks using VPNs to access impartial information.
• ✈️ Disruption to daily life, such as flight cancellations or internet outages, can prompt individuals to seek alternative news sources.