Moscow: Putin threatens to make use of nuclear forces at army parade | EUROtoday

As of three:43 p.m | Reading time: 3 minutes

AOn the day commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised his nation's willingness to struggle and in addition threatened to make use of Russian nuclear forces. These are “always on alert,” Putin stated on Thursday on the celebrations of the 79th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany on the main army parade on Red Square in Moscow. “Our strategic forces are on combat readiness.”

“Victory Day unites all generations.” “Russia is moving forward by relying on its centuries-old traditions.”

Security within the capital was extraordinarily tight forward of this yr's parade, with comparable occasions in different components of the nation canceled for safety causes. “In the West they want to forget the lessons of World War II,” he stated.

Russia will “do everything to avoid a global confrontation,” Putin assured. “At the same time, we will not allow anyone to threaten us.” Russia is presently going by means of “a difficult and decisive phase,” stated the Russian president. On Monday he ordered the Russian army to carry nuclear weapons workout routines on the border with Ukraine. Once once more, Putin in contrast Russia's function within the warfare in opposition to Ukraine to that of the Soviet Union within the struggle in opposition to Nazi Germany in World War II.

Smaller parade as sources are most likely wanted in Ukraine

At the parade to commemorate the top of the Second World War, 1000’s of troopers historically march by means of Red Square and tanks, fighter jets and rocket launchers are introduced. According to Russian media, greater than 9,000 troopers took half within the parade. Nevertheless, the parade was smaller in comparison with earlier years as Moscow is devoting its sources to the Ukraine entrance. This yr, the parade was once more devoted to the Russian army operation in Ukraine, which Putin ordered in February 2022.

In the previous, Russia has usually invited representatives of different international locations to attend the army parade. But this had already diminished earlier than the offensive in Ukraine. Among these current on Thursday had been the heads of state and authorities from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Cuba, Laos and Guinea-Bissau.

The parade this yr happened two days after Putin was re-inaugurated following the presidential election in March. On this event he had assured that he would ship a “victory” to the Russians. “We are a united and great nation and together we will overcome all obstacles, accomplish everything we set out to do and together we will win,” he stated on the lavish occasion.

In audio recorded on Tuesday however solely launched by the Kremlin after the army parade, Putin introduced a modernization of Russia's weapons arsenal. “Modern military technology is changing very quickly. If we want to be successful, we must always be one step ahead,” he stated at a gathering with military commanders.