Kenneth Glad
Security is tightening around Moscow ahead of the May 9 Victory Day parade, a move Zelenskyy says shows the Kremlin is more focused on protecting the ceremony than pursuing a real ceasefire.
Russia has called for a brief pause in fighting around its May 9 Victory Day commemorations, while new reports describe additional air-defense activity near Moscow.
WP Tech reports that Vladimir Putin sought a pause only for May 8 and 9, matching the timing of the annual parade marking the Soviet victory in World War II.
For the Kremlin, the parade is one of the most important political events of the year. In wartime, securing it has become a test of the Kremlin’s ability to project control at home.
United24 Media writes that equipment linked to S-400 air-defense systems has been seen moving through Moscow.
The outlet said it was unclear whether the systems were new reinforcements or part of existing Moscow defenses being moved to other positions.
Open-source analysts cited by the independent Ukrainian outlet estimate that the Russian capital is protected by about 130 air-defense sites in and around the city.
Zelenskyy responds
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X that the activity around Moscow showed Russia was preparing to protect the parade rather than move toward a serious ceasefire.
“We see that in recent weeks, air defense rings around Moscow have been additionally strengthened through the large-scale transfer of air defense assets from other regions of Russia. This shows that the Russian authorities are not preparing for the ceasefire they have spoken about so many times, and are more worried about their parade in Moscow than about the rest of Russia,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that Ukraine would decide its own response. “Our corresponding priorities will be determined.”
Zelenskyy also renewed Ukraine’s call for diplomacy: “Russia must take steps to end its war and achieve real peace. Peace is needed.”
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Ukraine says the preparations show Moscow is putting parade security ahead of a broader ceasefire.
Sources: WP Tech, United24 Media, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X.
