Vladimir Putin to address Victory Day parade amid heightened security in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Victory Day military parade on Saturday at Moscow's Red Square. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed that following the parade, Putin will host bilateral meetings with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, and the President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that security measures for the President have been increased due to concerns regarding potential attacks from Ukraine. While the Kremlin acknowledged the threat of Ukrainian disruption, Peskov explicitly rejected western media reports suggesting that security was tightened over fears of a potential coup or assassination attempt. The Russian government considers these measures standard procedure for major holidays. Putin has frequently used the annual commemorations of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany to rally domestic support for the ongoing war in Ukraine.