Putin accuses Western leaders of 'sowing hatred and Russophobia' on Victory Day

May 9th is an important day in Russia. It is Russia's biggest secular holiday, marked by impressive military parades to celebrate Russia's victory over Hitler's Germany during World War II.

Typically most Russian cities and towns host military parades on Victory Day. However, this year things look a little bit different.

According to the news outlet France 24, security concerns and tension due to the Ukrainian war caused at least 21 Russian towns and cities to cancel parades for the first time in many years.

In addition, several media outlets have reported that The Immortal Regiment Processions, in which Russians walk the streets holding portraits to honour loved ones who died or served in WWII, have also been cancelled in many communities.

However, despite officials claiming the processions were cancelled due to vague security concerns, many believe Russian higher-ups cancelled the processions out of fear that attendees may hold up pictures of loved ones who have died in Ukraine.

According to CNN, this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow was also slightly watered-down regarding the amount of military strength on display. Before 2023, "tens of tanks" filled the Red Square while the sky was filled with military jets.

However, as CNN pointed out, the Red Square was a little emptier this year, with just one tank leading the military machinery parade, the T-34, used by Russia during World War II.

Last year and in previous Victory Day parades, the T-34 was followed by modern tanks such as the T-90 and T-14. It is assumed that due to Russia's heavy military equipment losses, these tanks were unavailable this year.

Pictured, the parade in 2020.

The BBC reported that there also "fewer soldiers (8,000 compared to 11,000 last year), less military hardware, no modern tanks, no military flypast, and the parade was shorter than in previous years."

Despite a supposed assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin by a drone just last week, the Russian president still appeared at the Red Square in Moscow.

Surprisingly, the Russian president was able to convince a few international leaders to join him on the podium for the 2023 Victory Day Parade, something that has not happened since 2020.

According to the BBC, all the Central Asian leaders attended, including Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the prime minister of Armenia , and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko.

The BBC also points out that some Ukrainian experts claim they only attended either under duress or due to false promises.

The world was curious to hear what message Putin had for his country on this day to display and celebrate his country's military prowess.

Putin's 10-minute speech was relatively predictable and stayed in line with his discourse surrounding the nearly 15-month-long war in Ukraine.

Unsurprisingly, Putin linked the fight against the "Ukrainian criminal regime" with that against the Nazis in World War II.

According to the BBC, Putin said, "Today, civilization is again at a decisive turning point. (…) We have repulsed international terrorism, we will protect the inhabitants of Donbas, we will ensure our security."

Undoubtedly for Ukrainians who may have tuned into the speech or even Russians with family members in Ukraine, Putin's declaration that Russia will protect the Ukrainians must have been a low blow.

In particular since on May 9th, in the early morning, Russia launched around 15 cruise missiles at the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Fortunately, according to Reuters, Ukrainian air defence systems were able to shoot all the rockets down.

Putin also told Russians that "Western globalist elites" have been sowing the seeds of hatred and "Russophobia."

Putin also stated that the West only has one aim: "Their goal is nothing else but to see the fall of our country".

Then the Russian president claimed that the people of Ukraine are "hostages to a state coup" and the desires of the West, according to France 24.

As he spoke to the Russian troops and public gathered at the Red Square, Putin said, "A real war is being waged against our motherland," further justifying the military actions in Ukraine.

As the BBC's Paul Kirby pointed out in an analytical piece on Vladimir Putin's speech, although it was shocking to hear the Russian leader use the words "real war," Putin was not talking about his invasion of Ukraine.

Instead Putin was referring to the "war" the West has unleashed on Russia over its actions in Ukraine via sanctions and military aid to Russia's enemy.

Putin went on to praise Russia's military saying, "There is no cause stronger in the world than our love for our armed forces."

The Russian president added that he was proud of Russia's soldiers helping with the "special military operation," even saying that Russia's future depends on these "heroes."

To end his speech to the Russian people, Putin opted for a declaration of love for Russia, saying, "There's nothing in the world stronger than our love for the motherland." His final words were, "To our victory, Hoorah!"