As Vladimir Putin watched the Victory Day parade in Russia on Monday, Ukraine organized an alternative, showing destroyed and captured Russian equipment in an attempt to mock Moscow.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tweeted that the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of its army held a “parade of trophy Russian tanks” to ruin the Russians’ holiday. These tanks were captured by Russian troops amid the war in the Eastern European country over the past 75 days.
In a sham mockery, the ministry added: “Perhaps the aggressors believe that arming #UAarmy with Russian trophy equipment will affect the course of NATO-style armaments? A new smart plan. “
On Monday, Moscow and Kyiv celebrated a submissive Victory Day, a day when both Russians and Ukrainians celebrated the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Moscow’s Red Square Victory Day extravaganza was overshadowed by gray clouds, where Putin watched the annual parade, displaying about 131 pieces of military equipment – less than 190 last year.
Although he was touted as a potential place for Mr Putin to offer up-to-date information on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, his 11-minute speech did not provide such details. Earlier, experts believed that the holiday, centered around the great military parade and spring, could be used by the president to declare victory in Ukraine.
Mr Putin said the fighters were fighting for Russia’s security, but did not mention Ukraine by name in his speech or officially declared victory.
He justified what he called a “military operation” against Ukraine for “denazification”, saying Russia had no choice because the West was “preparing for the invasion of our country, including Crimea”.
“This is absolutely unacceptable to us,” he added.
“The danger is growing by the day,” Putin said. “Russia has given a preventive response to aggression. It was a forced, timely and the only right decision. “
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky likened Putin to Adolf Hitler because the Russian leader “follows Nazi philosophy, copies everything they did.”
He predicted that Ukraine would win the war and said: “Very soon there will be two Days of Victory in Ukraine. And no one will have even one left. “
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