Ukraine: The Latest Putin 'running scared' with pared back V-Day parade plans
May 8, 2026
Dr Jade McGlynn, King's College London academic on occupied territories, explains how occupation media and propaganda operate. She discusses staged arrests, local TV narratives, and how resistance actions are portrayed. The conversation also covers recent strikes in occupied areas and the Kremlin’s pared-back Victory Day plans.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Russian Air Defences Claim High Drone Intercepts Amid Failures
- Russia claimed to have shot down large numbers of Ukrainian drones across many regions, but evidence of malfunctions and impacts exists.
- The defence ministry said 264 drones were intercepted overnight across 15 regions while footage shows an AD missile malfunction hitting Rostov.
Azov Says It Patrolled Mariupol From The Air
- The Azov Corps claim to have returned to Mariupol using strike drones to patrol and strike targets up to 160 km behind enemy lines.
- They report establishing sanitary zones for Russian logistics and plan to increase strike depth around their home city.
Pared Down Victory Day Parade Signals Russian Weakness
- Moscow significantly pared down Victory Day guest list and removed heavy equipment from the parade, signalling weakness.
- Only a handful of foreign leaders were expected and Kremlin said heavy weapons were 'busy' on the battlefield, so tanks won't appear on Red Square.