Putin accuses West of waging war against Russia, Ukraine responds

This was reported by Russian media.  

"Today, civilization is once again at a decisive, turning point, a real war has been waged against our homeland. Its goal is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country, to cross out the results of World War II, to finally break the system of global security and international law, to stifle any sovereign centers of development," Putin said during a speech on Red Square in Moscow. 

The parade involved more than 10,000 troops, including those fighting against Ukraine, and 125 pieces of military equipment. The aerial part of the parade was canceled, and there were almost no tanks in the parade – only museum T-34s. 

The parade was commanded by the head of the Russian Army, Oleg Salyukov, and hosted by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who crossed himself before appearing on Red Square.

The parade was attended by the leaders of seven countries - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Ukraine also reacted to the parade in Moscow. In particular, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov said that the only parade worthy of being hosted by Vladimir Putin is the one of the Russian occupiers who died in the war against Ukraine.  

"For several hours, the dead Russian invaders who died in Ukraine without glory and honor can march in a "parade" on Red Square. This is the only parade worthy of being hosted by Putin, the murderer of Ukrainian children in his “PMC army,” and the only truth that the Russians should know about their country," Danilov wrote. 

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the President’s Office, called it a "parade of killers" and reminded that a few hours before it, Russia had fired 25 missiles at Ukraine. 

"Lies, a parade and... Putin with accomplices and observers on the stands of hypocrisy... Before gathering for the Kremlin's "parade of killers", Russia fired 25 cruise missiles (15 of them at Kyiv) at peaceful Ukrainian cities at night. In a malicious attempt to "liberate" civilians from life, freedom and their homes," Podolyak was outraged. 

• On May 8, media reported that Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had come to Moscow for the parade.