Will Reined Reign Rain on Parade?

Putin is presiding over a Victory Day parade this weekend. But here’s the rub. “He has no victories to celebrate. Persistent Ukrainian drone strikes across Russia, including on the capital, have forced Putin to ask for a cease-fire for the duration of the festivities. Parade organizers, citing security threats, have also dramatically downgraded the event, eliminating the display of armored vehicles and the march by military cadets. Cellphone and internet services are slated to be disrupted in Moscow for days. With the front line stalled, Russian casualties topping one million, the economy suffering and missile and drone strikes becoming commonplace, a deep sense of discontent has spread through the country in recent months.” WSJ (Gift Article): Putin’s Strongman Image Is Fading as Ukraine Brings War Home to Russia. “It doesn’t mean that revolution is imminent, nor that Putin, currently 73 years old, will be sidelined soon. But the change in mood is remarkable when compared with just last December, when Russian officials were buoyed by hopes that President Trump will pressure Ukraine into a peace deal on Moscow’s terms, lifting economic sanctions and unleashing a business bonanza.” Ukraine is somehow managing a remarkable David v Goliath stand for democracy and against authoritarianism, all while being told by the supposed leader of the democratic world that they’ve lost and should surrender.