Putin says in his Victory Day speech that nuclear forces are “always” on alert

President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday during an address at the annual Victory Parade that his nuclear forces are “always” on alert, adding that Moscow will not tolerate Western threats.

In a defiant speech on Red Square to thousands of soldiers in ceremonial dress, Putin praised his army’s fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of fomenting conflict around the world.

“Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always on alert,” Putin told the crowd.

“Dear friends, Russia is currently going through a difficult, crucial time. The fate of the Motherland, its future depends on each of us,” he said.

The May 9 parade marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and has become Russia’s most important holiday as Putin puts the country firmly on combat alert.

Putin has used nuclear rhetoric throughout the conflict but has become increasingly bellicose since last year, withdrawing from a nuclear test ban treaty and a key arms reduction agreement with the United States.

Earlier this week, he ordered the Russian military to conduct nuclear exercises with the Navy and troops stationed near Ukraine, raising fears that he could use the powerful weapons on the battlefield.

In comments recorded on Tuesday but released by the Kremlin after the parade, Putin pledged to modernize his army’s armament and said Russia would use all available foreign parts to produce them.

“Modern military technology is changing very quickly. If we want to be successful, we must always be one step ahead,” he said at a meeting with army commanders.

– “Russia is with you” –

Putin has repeatedly portrayed the current fight against Ukraine as an existential struggle against “Nazism,” a message he reiterated in his address on Thursday.

“We bow to the memory of civilians killed by barbaric bombings and terrorist attacks carried out by neo-Nazis,” he said.

“Those at the front, on the line of contact – are our heroes. We salute your fortitude, self-sacrifice and selflessness. All of Russia is on your side,” he continued.

Russia’s border regions, including Belgorod, have been repeatedly hit by deadly Ukrainian attacks since the conflict began, including on Thursday when a nighttime airstrike wounded eight people.

Security in the capital was tight ahead of this year’s parade because of repeated Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory and after an Islamic State attack on a concert hall near the capital in March left dozens of people dead.

Other parts of Russia, including the western regions of Kursk and Pskov, canceled their parades for security reasons.

The parade featured columns of Russian military equipment, although it was scaled back significantly compared to previous years as Moscow mobilizes its resources for the Ukraine front.

“We come to see it every year,” said 44-year-old Yelena Melikhova, who watched the parade of military equipment to Red Square.

“It’s very touching, very exciting.”

Svetlana Sycheva, 48, who watched the parade, said she was full of “pride.”

“Even in such difficult times, we have the opportunity to rejoice and feel the emotions we just experienced,” she told AFP.

– ‘We will win’ –

Russia often invites representatives of countries it considers “friendly” to the event, although attendance had already dwindled before it sent troops to Ukraine in early 2022 due to a standoff with the West.

Nine world leaders took part in Thursday’s parade – the leaders of the former Soviet republics of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – as well as the leaders of Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau.

Putin, 71, has ruled Russia since the turn of the century and secured a new six-year mandate in March after winning presidential elections without any opposition.

The Russian army repelled a much-hyped Ukrainian counteroffensive last year and has since made progress on the front as Kiev struggles with ammunition and manpower shortages.

Thursday’s celebrations come two days after Putin vowed to deliver a “victory” to Russians at a lavish inauguration.

“We are a united and great nation and together we will overcome all obstacles, accomplish everything we have planned and together we will win,” he said.

bur/oh