What happened on the day of May 9th. The main thing

A military parade dedicated to the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII) was held in Moscow on Red Square. The parade was commanded by the Commander of the Russian Ground Forces, Army General Andrei Mordvichev, and the parade was hosted by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Parade troops of military educational institutions of all types and branches of the Russian Army, participants in the special operation (SVO) and soldiers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) of the DPRK marched through Red Square. Aerobatic air groups flew over the Kremlin. Other main events of the day are in the Izvestia digest.

Putin's speech at the Victory Day Parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the participants of the Victory Day parade, which he called sacred, bright and the most important holiday of the country. The Russian leader announced a minute of silence in honor of the fallen during the Second World War. Putin also stressed that the feat of the victorious generation still inspires the soldiers who carry out their tasks. He noted that the fate of the country is always decided by people. Concluding his speech, Putin said that "our cause is just" and "victory has always been and will always be for Russia."

Ukraine violated the declared truce

Contrary to the declared ceasefire regime for the celebration of May 9, the Ukrainian side did not observe it. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) committed 8,970 violations of the truce, striking Russian Army positions and civilian targets in 18 regions. At the same time, all groups of Russian troops in the free zone have been strictly observing the ceasefire regime since midnight on May 8 and remain on the previously occupied borders.

Putin named a condition for meeting with Zelensky

The Russian president said that he was not refusing to meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky. According to Putin, the meeting is possible both in Moscow and in a "third country," but it should become the "end point" for signing peace in the long term. In addition, the Russian President said that on May 5, Moscow handed over to Kiev an offer to exchange prisoners of war and sent a list of 500 Ukrainian militants. Ukraine refused the offer, after which it "went off the radar," the Russian leader said.

Peter Magyar became the new Prime Minister of Hungary

The Hungarian parliament has elected Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisa party, as the country's new prime minister. 140 parliamentarians voted for him. In his very first speech, Magyar again called on Hungarian President Tamas Szujok to resign and set a deadline of May 31. One of the first things the leader of Tisa outlined as prime minister was the creation of a new anti-corruption body.

Russia criticized Zelensky's "decree" on the parade in Moscow

The day before, Zelensky signed a decree in which he mockingly "allowed" the Victory Day Parade to be held on Red Square. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Kiev's decision a stupid joke, stressing: "Woe to those who try to make fun of Victory Day." Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted that Zelensky's decree is "clowning and circus."

Putin's meetings with foreign guests

The leaders of foreign countries arrived in Moscow for the celebrations. Among the guests of honor are Presidents of Abkhazia Badra Gunba, Laos Tonglun Sisulit, South Ossetia Alan Gagloev, Supreme Ruler of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Head of Republika Srpska Sinisha Karan along with a delegation. Putin held a series of bilateral meetings with them in the Kremlin, where the leaders discussed prospects for further cooperation.