Russia’s annual Victory Day procession, a much-awaited celebration of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany, returned this year with a fresh military force exhibition. Held in Moscow on Friday, the procession displayed a range of contemporary weaponry, including ballistic missiles, drones, upgraded tanks, and fighter planes. Prominent military and political leaders, as well as some unannounced visitors, defined the event.
Among those there was Steven Seagal, the American actor and martial artist most recognized for his parts in action movies from the 1990s. A longtime fan of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Seagal was seen by official TV seated next to the Russian nationalist biker gang Night Wolves. Renowned for its strong pro-Kremlin posture, the gang has participated in several pro-Russia events and faces US sanctions for its claimed involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.
The Russian news outlet Izvestia highlighted Seagal’s look in video footage showing the 71-year-old actor navigating the throng among biker gang members. On his attendance, the French news agency Agence France-Presse ( AFP) also noted that Seagal appeared to fit into the assembly of Russian nationalists and military sympathizers.
Seagal’s Russia Alignment
Seagal, who became Russian citizen in 2016, has openly supported the Kremlin. The Russian Foreign Ministry named him a special representative in 2018 to advocate Russian culture in the United States. Seagal has stayed pro-Russian in spite of global reaction over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, frequently repeating the Kremlin’s story in public appearances and interviews.
Along with developing a personal friendship with Putin, whom he has hailed as a “great leader,” the actor’s allegiance to the Russian government has made him a divisive figure in the West, especially in view of growing conflict over the war in Ukraine.
Oliver Stone’s Presence at the Event
Not only was Seagal among Hollywood personalities at the Victory Day procession. Three-time Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone also visited Moscow. Stone, who created a four-hour documentary on Putin in 2017, has been attacked a lot for his sympathetic presentation of the Russian ruler.
Oliver Stone was seen shaking hands with Putin during the occasion, therefore confirming his supposed alliance with the Kremlin. Stone called Putin a “great leader” and defended his position on Russia in a May 2023 interview with The Guardian, therefore igniting criticism in Western media.
A Show of Military Might
Designed to showcase Russia’s military might, the Victory Day procession itself was a spectacular show. Following two years of subdued parades allegedly driven by military resources redirected to the war in Ukraine, this year’s celebration was far more lavish.
Military vehicles ranging from T-90 main battle tanks to Tornado-S multiple rocket launchers to Iskander and Yars ballistic missiles crowded Moscow’s Red Square. The procession also included the introduction of Russian attack drones, a weapon of choice in the continuing battle with Ukraine.
Su-25 fighter planes tore overhead, trailing plumes of colored smoke matching the Russian flag. Clearly, the show aimed to show Russia’s enduring military might in the face of Western sanctions and ongoing hostilities.
Xi Jinping and Other World Leaders Here in Attendance
Notable among the world leaders present in the 2025 Victory Day procession were those from countries either allied with or sympathetic to Russia. An indication of the developing cooperation between Moscow and Beijing amid rising tensions with the West, Chinese President Xi Jinping was a major guest at the event.
Apart from Xi, officials from various Eastern European and Central Asian governments participated in the procession, therefore supporting the Kremlin’s image of a coalition of countries standing together against alleged Western aggression.
Security Issues Among Drone Threats
Rising worries about possible drone strikes drove the event under close security even with the display of military power. According to reports, the Ukrainian military conducted multiple drone strikes aiming at Moscow in the days preceding the procession, closing surrounding airports and driving up security policies.
Russian officials restrict internet access in central Moscow and use counter-drone equipment to shield the event from possible disturbances. Previously warning international leaders attending the procession about security concerns, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“Our position is very simple for all countries travelling to Russia on May 9: We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said.
The procession went as scheduled despite these warnings, with Seagal, Stone, and other guests conspicuously positioned among the attendees. The gathering highlighted Russia’s will to present a picture of military might and political unity even while the situation in Ukraine gets more intense.
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