As Russia celebrates its 80-year-old victory over Nazi Germany, Putin wants the world to see that despite the new conflict in Europe, he still has friends in high places.

Ukrainian drone strikes have heightened anxiety across Moscow ahead of this year’s May 9 parade on Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin will be watching with other leaders.

For the Russian president, Victory Day is arguably the most important public holiday of the year. For the fourth time, the Moscow military parade will take place without high-level guests and with unprecedented security measures,