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North Korean troops join Putin’s scaled-back parade as Ukraine agrees temporary ceasefire

By: Yuliya Talmazan · Daryna Mayer · Mithil Aggarwal

8 May 2026 at 19:32

There were no neat rows of tanks or ballistic missile carriers rolling down the smooth cobbles of Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, as Russia scaled back what is usually a grand militaristic Victory Day parade celebrating the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in central Moscow on May 9.

Russian servicemen march in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9.

People gather behind a security barricade reinforced with trucks to watch the military aircraft performance in Moscow on May 9.

Russian troops units gather to participate in the military parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9.

A tourist at Moscow's Red Square on May 4.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow on May 9.

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine will not attack Putin’s military parade in Moscow in return for prisoner swap

By: Yuliya Talmazan · Daryna Mayer

8 May 2026 at 19:32

There will be no neat rows of tanks and ballistic missile carriers rolling down the smooth cobbles of Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, as Russia scales back what is usually a grand militaristic Victory Day parade celebrating the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany