Russian nuclear forces 'always' ready for combat, Putin warns

Russian strategic nuclear forces are "always" ready for combat, emphasized Thursday Vladimir Putin during his speech to celebrate the Soviet victory against Hitler, amid tensions linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russian president oversaw the May 9 military parade on Red Square, the centerpiece of the Kremlin's narrative extolling the country's power. More than 9,000 military personnel, according to Russian media, armored vehicles, missile launchers and combat aircraft took part.

Military vehicles, including Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2024 in Moscow © AFP – Alexander NEMENOV

“Russia will do everything to avoid a global confrontation. But, at the same time, we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic (nuclear) forces are always on alert,” said the Russian president.

He recently ordered tactical nuclear exercises involving troops stationed near Ukraine.

A Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, explained Thursday that these exercises were part of “efforts” to strengthen Russian nuclear deterrence in the face of the “escalation” carried out by its Western adversaries.

Thursday, Vladimir Putin affirmed that Moscow, which presents itself as a counterweight to Anglo-Saxon influence, rejected “the pretension to exclusivity” of any government or alliance.

Then he reaffirmed that Russia was going through “difficult times.” “The destiny of the homeland and its future depend on each of us,” he said, saluting the “heroes” who fight for Moscow on the front.

Victory Day military parade over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2024 in Moscow © AFP – Alexander NEMENOV

Vladimir Putin, 71, presents the assault on kyiv as an existential conflict and on each occasion promises “victory” to his fellow citizens in a fight against a Ukrainian government presented as “neo-Nazi”.

The head of the Kremlin has long mobilized the memory of the Second World War – which left 27 million dead on the Soviet side – to present himself as heir to the power of the USSR and legitimize its own power.

– Fashion shows canceled –

The parade is at the heart of the Kremlin's patriotic education, denounced as militarist by the opposition.

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A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2024 in Moscow © AFP – Alexander NEMENOV

“I was able to see our superb equipment and our valiant armed forces pass by,” rejoiced Ekaterina Tolstaya, a monastery employee interviewed by AFP in Moscow, as troops headed towards Red Square for the parade.

Elena Melikhova, 44, who came with her son, believes that these commemorations are “very important for future generations”: “It’s very touching and very exciting. And also very frightening.”

The parade on Moscow's Red Square did not escape the security and diplomatic fallout from the assault on Kiev.< /p>

Vladimir Putin, isolated on the international scene, was surrounded on Thursday by only a few allied heads of state.

Among them, the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or Turkmenistan, according to the Kremlin, as well as the presidents of Laos, Cuba and Guinea-Bissau.

Russian MiG-29 fighters fly over Red Square during the Victory Day military parade over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2024 in Moscow © AFP – NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA

Some parades were also canceled for “security” reasons, particularly in regions bordering Ukraine, regularly affected by strikes.

At least eight people were were injured during the night from Wednesday to Thursday in a Ukrainian air attack on the Russian town of Belgorod and its surroundings, announced the regional governor.

– Progress on the front –

The 2023 parade was much more modest than in previous years, with very little modern equipment while Russian troops were already mobilized massively on the front .

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) shakes hands with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the Victory Day military parade over Nazi Germany, May 9, 2024 in Moscow © POOL – Mikhail KLIMENTYEV

Russia was then emerging from a series of bitter failures, at the dawn of a highly anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Un year later, the situation is quite different: the Russian army has suffered significant losses and has failed to achieve a real breakthrough, but it has recently made territorial gains against Ukrainian troops in difficulty.

Kiev's counter-offensive has failed and Ukraine now fears that its adversary, who has more men, equipment and a more powerful military industry, will launches a major operation with the arrival of summer.

On the domestic front, Vladimir Putin's power is also more uncontested than ever. The repression crushed all dissenting voices. His great opponent Alexeï Navalny died in mid-February in prison in unclear circumstances.

The Russian president has just been re-appointed at the head of the country until 2030, with the possibility of then serving another term until 2036.

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