Moscow —
Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun presiding over a pared-back Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square, after a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine took effect.
Russia’s annual May 9 parade commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Germany in World War II. Under Putin, it has come to symbolize the country’s military strength.
However, in a marked departure this year, Russian authorities announced there would be no display of heavy military hardware – forgoing the traditional show of force in favor of security.
The parade takes place amid intensified Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory, particularly against oil…