Thread by @TheStudyofWar

#Putin declined to use his #VictoryDay address to make any significant rhetorical changes and reiterated existing narratives, preparing for a protracted war & framing #Russia as successfully resisting the entire West.

#Ukraine latest w/ @criticalthreats: isw.pub/UkrWar050923

2/ #Putin similarly declined to use recent notable events such as his annual New Year’s Eve address or his February 2023 address to the Federal Assembly to offer any concrete vision on how to reverse #Russia's military’s setbacks in #Ukraine or reframe the war.

3/ #Putin has instead used these events to reinforce long-standing rhetorical lines aimed at preparing the Russian public for a protracted war in #Ukraine by evoking the memory of World War Two without calling on Russian society to support full mobilization.

4/ #Putin additionally attempted to use #VictoryDay celebrations to rally Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) partners, many of which have sought to reduce their reliance on the #Kremlin since February 2022.

5/ The #VictoryDayParade showcased far less military equipment than usual (including only a single World War Two–era T-34/85 and no modern tanks, which #Russia badly needs in #Ukraine)...

6/ ...and demonstrated the further degradation of the Russian military, despite the #Kremlin’s attempts in previous weeks to downplay #VictoryDay by downsizing parades and outright canceling events. isw.pub/UkrWar050923