Tired and paranoid Putin exposes his isolation at pathetic May 9 spectacle
May 9 military parade on Red Square exposed a growing sense of disgust toward a tired, heavily guarded Vladimir Putin rather than projecting superpower strength, an analyst wrote following the event.
Parades are not held in a vacuum. These are recurring events. At the very least, they can be compared to the previous year's parade.
The Kremlin began lowering expectations in advance with stories that last year was an anniversary of the victory, and this year is just another regular anniversary. However, they failed to lower it to the necessary rock bottom, which provoked disappointment. Along the way, the thought arose: why even hold this sad, pathetic display? They only made it worse.
Forty-five minutes of a parade, five minutes of preparation, and 15 minutes of laying flowers provide some clues to capture the atmosphere.
1. The main trend captured in the comments of some "dear Russians," who are completely pro-war and pro-regime, is a growing disgust toward Putin.
Not fear, not protest, but exactly disgust, as if toward something slimy, dirty, and pathetic.
The center of attention at the parade was not the leader of a superpower, but a tired aging man with shifty eyes who is being tolerated for now. And he feels it.
His experience and skills still help him put on the right mask during communication, but when he is left alone with himself for a second, everything shows on his face. A short, aging man bending under the pressure of a weight he can no longer lift.
The strained, mournful faces of Putin's entourage periodically appeared in the frame. Overall, there was no inspiration and no holiday.
2. Zelenskyy's decree on holding a parade in Moscow nullified the scenario of a possible incident initiated by internal Russian forces, as the chance to blame Ukraine vanished. But look at the photos of how Putin is guarded.
In one photo, he is shaking hands with the commanders of the parade columns. Behind the military men, and half a meter from Putin, is his security detail. You can look for earlier years' parades for comparison. Security is everywhere; it is protocol, but there was never such an overhanging presence. Either Putin himself is afraid, or he is being wound up and intimidated this way (as a result of which he becomes afraid and paranoid).
Look at the photo where he is walking to the car. This takes place inside a triple-filtered perimeter, among the most vetted individuals possible. And yet, he moves within a physical cover formation.
3. The derivative of this situation is the maximum emphasis on how lonely and isolated Putin is.
Earlier, he played the role of the host of the ball, to whom guests came to express their respect. The moment of communication was emphasized in every possible way. Putin would stroll surrounded by leaders of other states, highlighting that he and Russia were the center of attention. Now, everything is different. The function of the first lady was traditionally performed by Lukashenko. Tokayev and Mirziyoyev, hastily brought to Moscow to somewhat elevate the frankly embarrassing level of foreign guests, were openly burdened by what was happening, as well as by their role as decorative furniture.
If Russia's situation looked like a success, anyone and everyone would rush to "lean" on it. Few people want to lean on losers.
4. The lack of equipment at the parade is a sharp downgrade in the spectacle's status.
Another categorically unfortunate moment was Defense Minister Belousov receiving the parade. He is the very last person who should symbolize Russia's military might. Alcoblogger Medvedev looks more aggressive. Even Patriarch Gundyaev would have been more appropriate.
The only thing worse than Belousov is Putin in his current state, as he is a walking symbol of degradation. Two elderly men, unsuited for their roles, struggling to signal a superpower military ambition is a visual fiasco. Marshal Shoigu looked much better.
5. Putin's speech: eight minutes of emptiness.
6. The brightest moment of the parade: North Koreans with shiny assault rifles, encrusted with medals down to their underwear.
Koreans, an orangutan in Novosibirsk, and a column of widows and mothers of invaders in Chita are the symbols of the 2026 parade in Russia.
The quintessence was a journalist's words addressed to a woman in the "Immortal Regiment" column in Kemerovo holding a photo of her grandfather and her missing son: "Ah, so you have a double holiday! Congratulations!"
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