NATO Flag, Russian Hospitality: Fico Ignores Airspace Bans To Join Putin For Victory Day Parade

Russian president Vladimir Putin opened the Victory Day parade with the 'Hurrah' victory chant. Cannons fired across Red Square while military bands performed the national anthem during one of the country’s most symbolic national events. The Kremlin confirmed this year's parade was scaled down because of what it called a “terrorist threat” from Ukraine, while Russian officials warned of a massive retaliatory strike on Kyiv if celebrations were disrupted.