Victory Day

Rumors have swirled about the Belarusian president's health since his appearance at Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.

Speculation has grown over the Belarusian president's health in recent days.

"Before 2022, I didn't have any strong feelings about May 9...but now I can't stand the people who are celebrating today," Ukrainian refugee in Vienna says.

The head of the Wagner Group lambasted the Russian Defense Ministry in a video on Victory Day.

"To the loneliest little tank in the world...best of luck!" Ukraine's Defense Ministry wrote of the armored vehicle in Moscow's Red Square Victory Day parade.

The Russian president blamed "Western globalists" for escalating the war in Ukraine, saying Ukrainians have "become hostage to the coup d'état."

The reported markings sparked speculation on social media ahead of the Russian capital's Victory Day celebrations.

Russia's Victory Day parade, an annual celebration of defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, was scaled down Monday due to the war in Ukraine.

Only 8,000 military personnel marched in Red Square on Tuesday, the fewest since 2008.

"This parade was astonishingly low-level," one expert told Newsweek.

"Civilization is again at a decisive turning point," Russian President Vladimir Putin told crowds during a speech to mark Victory Day in Moscow on Tuesday.

The Russian president took aim at the West as he addressed the crowd in Moscow's Red Square.

The announcement comes just one day ahead of Victory Day, one of Russia's key national holidays marking Soviet triumph over Nazism.

The Iskander tactical missile system crashed into a road safety barrier in St. Petersburg.

Anchor Vladimir Solovyov said there can be "no negotiations" with Kyiv after the alleged attempt on Vladimir Putin's life.

Ukrainian publication Obozrevatel said documents show preparations for a Red Square drone attack.

The Immortal Regiment parades for May 9 commemorations have been canceled.

A pair of major patriotic Russian events are being downsized or outright canceled in certain regions due to the war with Ukraine.

"This is no longer a war between Ukraine and Russia, but a war for the security of not only Ukraine, but the world as a whole," said Denys Chistikov.

"It's possible last year was the last Moscow Victory Parade we may see for some years," said retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman on Friday.

One Russian official was reportedly snubbed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Crimea last month.

Aside from Crimea, Victory Day parades will also not be taking place on May 9 in Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions, which border Ukraine, their governors say.

Mikhail Kasyanov said Friday that he believes Putin was "misled" by advisers about the state of Russian forces and how long an invasion would take.

The programme's guest claimed that Ukraine President Zelensky posted a photo on Russia's Victory Day of a Ukrainian soldier wearing a Nazi symbol.

Other rumors that Russia's president is suffering from some kind of ailment have raised questions about who might succeed him.

A Russian city marked Victory Day with a "Shoot the last fascist" event, which saw a child in a military uniform shoot a Nazi soldier effigy with an air rifle.

The man speaking to Putin during the parade was alleged to be Dmitry Kovalev, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The most famous crime couple in American history made a surprise appearance during Victory Day celebrations in Russia.

"Putin is perverting history, changing history—or attempting to change it, I should say—to justify his unprovoked and unjustified war," Jen Psaki said.

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said she knows who is responsible for the attack on Russia's ambassador to Poland.