Russia Skips Military Hardware in Victory Day Parade

0:00It's April 29th. This is Global News Today World Coverage, powered by AI. Russia's skipping military hardware at its victory day parade for the first time since the Ukraine invasion back in 2022. This marks the 81st anniversary of beating Nazi Germany in World War II, and the big show on Red Square and Moscow happens May 9th every year. The Defense Ministry blames the current operational situation, so no tanks or convoys rolling through, and even cadets are out, but they'll still have troops for military schools across all branches, plus the classic aircraft flyover to keep the tradition alive. Victory Day hits deep in Russia. It's the one holiday uniting everyone, remembering the 27 million Soviet lives lost in the Great Patriotic. War from 1941 to 45. Putin's leaned hard on it for over 25 years to boost national pride and frame the Ukraine fight. Last year, they went all out with over 11,500 troops, 180 vehicles fresh from the battlefield,

1:03even nuclear, missile launchers, and drones. Putin called a 72-hour ceasefire and jam-cell signals to dodge drone strikes, drawing leaders like China's XI and Brazil's Lula. This shift feels like another dial back after 2023 smaller version with no flyover, signaling how the war is grinding down Moscow's. Parade flex as priorities shift on the ground.