Russia celebrates its 1945 victory over Nazi Germany on Monday with a show of military might even as its army battles Kyiv’s forces in the east of Ukraine, where 60 people were killed in an airstrike on a school sheltering civilians.

The annual show in Red Square commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany has become so ritualized that one year’s parade is barely distinguishable from others. But this year’s observance of Russia’s most important patriotic holiday carries exceptional weight.

As Russian troops fight gruelling battles in Ukraine and unleash torrents of missiles and bombs, both Russian and foreign observers will watch it for signs of what could come next in the conflict.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a statement moments before Russia marks its Victory Day anniversary in Moscow. He says his country is fighting for a new victory, this time over Russian invaders.

“The road to it is difficult, but we have no doubt that we will win,” Zelensky said in a statement.

Under Vladimir Putin, Victory Day has also become a show of strength of troops and military hardware. But after months of war against its neighbour Ukraine, Russia is devoid of any real form of military victory that it can celebrate.

source france24.com