Diese klaffende Abwesenheit in Putins Parade zeigt, wie schwach er geworden ist

There are few things that would-be autocrats seem to enjoy more than a military parade, and few things that seem to disappoint them more than one that goes badly.

Just look at [Donald Trump](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/trump-humiliated-monarchy-king-charles-speech-4385078?ico=in-line_link), who [attempted to host](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/trump-holds-parade-on-his-birthday-to-celebrate-armys-anniversary-3750495?srsltid=AfmBOoomq6cTYckYAVJi7vjEBAcCXJEDHprSGe3SqfIBX3FfVKTC7OMo&ico=in-line_link) a US military spectacle last summer, ostensibly to celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary, but conveniently held on his own 79th birthday. Washington DC’s roads weren’t up to bearing the weight of heavy equipment, and washout weather kept the crowds away – much to the visible dismay of a furious Trump.

Now, it seems [Vladimir Putin](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-abandoning-dream-russia-global-power-4382415?srsltid=AfmBOoq48I83WDfRGApfsq9bqq7hWrezEmrTVUgugrdWaT9S0_e_xipE&ico=in-line_link) is having his own issues hosting a military parade. Russia is far more experienced at arranging such affairs – they were a staple of the Soviet era – and Moscow’s Red Square hosts a Victory Day parade every year on 9 May.

But this year, it will do so without any tanks or heavy military equipment whatsoever. Similarly, no military cadets will take part either. What is supposed to be a display of national strength, unity and muscularity could be a limp affair, indeed.

Putin is a leader who likes to [project Russian strength](https://inews.co.uk/news/untouchable-putin-yacht-strait-laughing-trump-4385013?srsltid=AfmBOoo4NnKN8ohTYUIfUNn1tYMEPadt1VesXZNdD-1VlS8Yq1J-Zkuv&ico=in-line_link) across the world. His supporters and ministers routinely boast about how easily he could [annihilate](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/putin-danger-what-ministers-need-to-tell-us-4343137?srsltid=AfmBOopZlKtzQOcn9sspxQiLGyI_W-TBIhCQUoeQgK50kSOpjF2lzkX3&ico=in-line_link) the West with Russia’s nuclear arsenal, saying it is only his forbearance and restraint that stop him from doing so.

Until Russia ran aground so disastrously in what it expected to be an easy invasion of Ukraine, it would similarly boast about how readily it could reintroduce its neighbours to “Mother Russia”.

It is both politically and psychologically significant to Putin, then, that he is able to put on a good military show for the TV cameras, and yet it seems obvious that he is unable to do so. Few official explanations have been given, but pro-Kremlin talking heads in Russian media have suggested that the risk of Ukraine striking Russian hardware is the reason for the decision.

That alone is an astonishing admission of failure. Russia was supposed to be able to roll into Kyiv within days of invasion, after experiencing just token resistance. That Ukraine is still standing independently four years later is a huge symbol of defiance in itself. That it is able, even without US support since Trump’s re-election, to threaten targets deep in Russian territory says more than a military parade ever could.

All of that would be embarrassing enough for Putin, and that’s based on the explanation that sources friendly to him are giving. Critics have an even blunter version of events: it’s possible Russia simply doesn’t have enough military hardware to spare from the frontline to put on show and what it has left wouldn’t be impressive enough.

Putin’s story about Russia is that it is a ferociously strong nation, led by a ferociously strong man. That is how he keeps his grip on power, and how he keeps opposition in check. As he grows older and more isolated, and as his army founders in Ukraine, the gap between his story and reality becomes ever harder to ignore. If it continues, even Russia’s compliant media won’t be able to cover it up for much longer.

Putin still has a loyal lapdog named Trump. This alone compensates part of his weaknesses. But Russia is clearly suffering shortages of arms.

Wake me up when he starts wearing a diaper too.