Russia’s Victory Day Parade: Changes and Significance

Russia held a ceremony to celebrate the 78th Day of Victory over Nazi Germany. What many parties were interested in at this year’s ceremony was a parade, usually Russia would carry various weapons. Came in a big way to show military might.

However, this year’s Russian Victory Day parade was relatively small and many things have changed compared to previous years. These changes may reflect the situation Russia is currently facing. After going to war in Ukraine

A picture of the parade at the 78th Victory Day Parade of Russia, held on Red Square. Moscow city center capital of russia

The procession of weapons and paratroopers continued to pass through the ceremony just like every year.

“Wagner” mercenary fighters of the Russian Federation.

Secret documents cited as US intelligence information Anticipating the Ukrainian-Russian War tends to prolong throughout the year

However, Professor Michael Clarke, a military strategy expert and senior researcher at King’s College London, said: This year, the Russian parade has a noticeable change: The amount of armament in convoys has been significantly reduced.

Images of military equipment at this year’s Victory Day parade The Russian army inaugurated the parade with a Soviet-era T-34 tank emblazoned with Victory Day symbols on its side and a red flag. only one car And the cars that followed were ordinary military vehicles.

The image differs from the 2022 military parade. The Russian Army has also opened its lineup of Soviet-era T-34 tanks, but with the newer T-14. Armata and other tanks join the procession too

Analysts see the disappearance of new tanks and the only Soviet-era T-34 remaining as a change worth paying attention to. Because this is reflecting that Russia may lose various equipment. many in Ukraine, according to many estimates. Until having to decide between showing the rest of the weapons Or will it bring an old weapon that is important in Russian history to the protagonist?

What is the significance of the Soviet T-34 tank? Why did Russia choose to be the sole protagonist this year? The T-34 is said to be the legendary victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in Operation Barbarossa. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941

This tank is a medium tank. It was in service from the 1940s and was in production until the 1950s, before other tanks such as the T-55 replaced it. 3 tanks together are good defensive armor strong firepower and moves fluently These characteristics made the T-34 superior to the Panzer III tanks used by Germany at the time.

However, some analysts point out that the adoption of the Soviet T-34 may be due to the small number of tanks in stock and on Russian production lines. Due to some destruction and newer tank models like the T-14. Armata was sent to fight in Ukraine.

The T-14 Armata, which has been on display every year since 2015, is a new generation of Russian tanks. It is highly effective and capable of protecting against western Javelin anti-tank missiles or missiles.

The reason why we didn’t see this tank at this year’s parade. According to a report by the Russian news agency RIA on April 25, Given that these tanks may be used to fight in all of Ukraine. Analysts have estimated that the Russian army may have as few as 20 of these tanks, as they are still in development and not yet completed. Because spare parts are difficult to find because they are boycotted. Including the problem of corruption in the Russian army itself.

other tank models that used to be brought to join the procession in the ceremony every year Was destroyed or damaged a lot Oryx (Oryx), the open source group of the Netherlands revealed that So far, Russia has lost at least 1,558 tanks, of which 1,012 have been destroyed in battle, and 546 have been captured by the Ukrainian army. The number of such losses That’s half of the tanks Russia has deployed against Ukraine since February 24 last year.

A shortage of Russian tanks and a parade led by T-34 tanks coincide with a Western news agency reporting that Russia is now short of military equipment. Until having to bring an ancient tank that can only be found in a museum for soldiers to use to fight against Ukraine

CNN news agency reports that Russia may be bringing an old tank in a museum for soldiers to use in its fight against Ukraine. The tank that was removed from the inventory was the T-55s.

The T-55s was an early tank. The Soviet Union was stationed in the Red Army in 1948, or just 2 years after the Cold War between the United States. More than 100,000 T-55s were produced, making it one of the world’s most mass-produced tanks due to its low cost, ease of operation and maintenance.

Those interested in weapons said the same thing. For Western and Russian nations This tank is considered very old and can be seen in the Armament Museum. or some African countries such as Egypt and Sudan. Although the T-55s are older tanks, But some military analysts believe these tanks could be useful to the Russian army. If the Russians brought these tanks for the new recruits to drive and fire in the rear. Not driving a tank, he goes up against Ukrainian tanks at close range.

In addition, the Russians could dig trenches for defense and place regular tanks in the pit. with the tip of the tank’s gun protruding above the hole. to shoot the advancing enemy This will be the most effective way to use the T-55s on the battlefield right now.

In addition to the reduced number of tanks in the parade, Another piece of equipment missing during Russia’s 78th Victory Day celebrations was the Flying stunts with jet planes

At this year’s parade The Russian Defense Ministry did not have the Air Force perform aerobatics in Moscow like in previous years. The Russian Air Force will spray the colors of the national flag in the sky. The reason for the suspension of aerobatics this year According to Russian authorities, this was due to poor visibility. until fearing that it would harm the pilot But analysts say the claim is unreasonable. Because yesterday (May 9), the weather in Moscow and many cities was clear. as well as conducive to acrobatic flying

Analysts say the real reason may be that Russia lost several fighter jets in the Ukraine war. Including the loss from being assassinated and sabotaged in many areas.

On this day Russia celebrates Victory Day amid restrictions and reduced armament. Until many parties analyzed in the same direction that the cause of the Ukrainian war at the same time, the warring party like Ukraine It was revealed that it would receive assistance, including various weapons. from the Western Alliance In the midst of an increasingly clear wave of spring counterattacks,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the government of President Joe. US Biden After providing a new set of military assistance worth more than US $ 1.2 billion, or approximately 40 billion baht, a new set of aid that is coming to Ukraine. equipped with cannons various missiles, drones, including air defense systems

Meanwhile, yesterday (May 9), Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II, the European Commission’s President made an official visit to Kiev. She stated that the European Union urgently needs to provide Ukraine with ammunition. And it is actively pushing for an agenda for all EU nations to reach a consensus as soon as possible.

In addition to the United States and the European Union, which has confirmed that it will help Ukraine, the latest British Foreign Minister James Cleverly has issued a joint statement with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken While visiting Washington, DC, he said that the UK will continue to support Ukraine until the end of the war.

The announcement of the British Foreign Minister It comes amid the news that Western and Ukrainian news agencies reported.

The government of the Netherlands is now in discussions with the US government. Britain and Denmark on the delivery of the F-16, a high-performance fighter jet requested by Ukraine.

Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands gave an interview to Reuters reporters last week that Western allies are now vigorously discussing the issue. After Ukraine had requested this fighter since February. While the Ukrainian leader visited the UK Many view that the PM of the Netherlands has made it clear that he wants to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as noted in the interview that Europe must help Ukraine in the fight. Because if President Putin wins He will definitely not stop the invasion of Ukraine.

Western nations are now starting to help Ukraine more and more. Amid signs that Ukraine will launch a spring counterattack in the coming weeks, however, to date Ukraine has not yet launched a spring counterattack. The Russians rushed to advance and seize the area. Especially in the city of Bakmut, where Russia has reportedly occupied more than half of the territory. In addition to the fierce fighting in Bagmut Now there’s another big related issue going on. When a news agency reporter is killed in an attack by the Wagner group. which is the main fighting force there now

The Guardian news agency reported that Arman Soldin, a 33-year-old French journalist from AFP news agency (AFP), stationed in the Shasifyari district. in the city of Bagmut Died in a Grad multi-barreled missile attack by a Wagner mercenary group.

Armand Soldin is the 15th journalist killed in the area. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year

The incident has shocked many involved parties. Either Ukraine or France The Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted its condolences and condolences over the reporter’s passing.

Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre Also tweeted a message of condolences for Arman’s passing as well.

He stated that the mass media is the foundation of a free society. And the world is indebted to Arman and more than 10 other journalists who came to cover the atrocities of Russia’s death in the Ukrainian war.

The French government has already expressed its stance on the matter, French President Emmanuel Macron. has issued a tweet praising the bravery of this journalist

Members of the French parliament gave a standing ovation in honor of Armand’s service as a journalist until the end of his life. Before the start of the meeting of the Legislative Committee

After that, the French National Assembly asked its members to vote on an agenda to put Wagner on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations. The goal is to encourage the 27 member states of the European Union to include Wagner on their official list of terrorist organizations.

The result of the resolution appeared that The French National Assembly voted unanimously at 331 in support of the Wagner mercenary group. It is a terrorist group that will be included in the list of countries in the European Union.

Meanwhile, Britain has confirmed that it will list Wagner mercenary groups as a terrorist organization. to increase pressure on the Russian government

Being listed as a terrorist organization by Wagner mercenaries on the EU list It will allow member states to freeze the assets of the Wagner Group and its members. European companies and citizens will be forbidden from all contact with those associated with the terrorist group.