ABC News Daily Is Putin right to be paranoid?
9 snips
May 11, 2026 
Matthew Sussex, associate professor and Russia expert at ANU, provides sharp analysis on Putin and Russian politics. He unpacks the scaled-back Victory Day parade and why tanks were absent. He discusses reports of heightened security around Putin and the slim chances and possible actors for a coup. He also touches on the war’s costs, economic pain, and shifting international influence.
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Victory Day Scaled Back Over Strike Risk
- Russia scaled back the Victory Day parade because Ukrainian long-range drones and the Flamingo cruise missile can now reach deep into Moscow.
- Putin showed military hardware via video and removed tanks and mobile columns to avoid exposing assets to strike risk.
Ukraine Strikes Hit Russia's Oil Capacity
- Ukraine's drones and the domestically made Flamingo missile have been used to damage Russia's oil distribution and strike targets deep inside Russia.
- These attacks removed roughly 40% of Russia's oil production capacity and exploit weak Russian air defences.
Ceasefire Request Reveals Putin's Limits
- Putin publicly called for a ceasefire during the parade to ensure safety, signalling he wants the war to pause though likely on favourable terms.
- Zelensky publicly taunted Putin by giving exact coordinates for Moscow after promising restraint.