The Lies.. The Truth

 Putin puts on fake show of force at WWII parade. Troop losses limit march as invasion hell laid bare

- CHRIS HUGHES

RUSSIAN troops paraded tanks and missiles in Red Square yesterday as the bodies of comrades killed in Vladimir Putin’s invasion lay rotting in Ukrainian streets.

The President addressed just 9,000 soldiers in Moscow to mark Russia’s Second World War victory over the Nazis, compared to 14,000 last year.

He has lost 26,650 troops during his 75-day invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and many of their families are unaware what has happened to their loved ones.

Bodies were being swept aside across south and east Ukraine as Moscow’s commanders cleared the way for their Victory Day pomp.

Sources said Putin’s Red Square ranks had to be bolstered by police officers, railway troops and even spooks in uniform.

Well over 100 Russian warplanes have been shot down since the invasion began on February 24, perhaps accounting for the lack of a huge and victorious fly-past over Moscow.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace accused Putin’s forces of “mirroring the fascism and tyranny” they fought more than 70 years ago.

And he called for Russian generals who have acted on Putin’s wishes to attack Ukraine to face court martial.

Russia expert Bruce Jones said: “Russia has struggled to fill its ranks, as is seen by the number and categories of personnel in the parade. This is as a result of the losses the Russian armed forces are suffering. This was a less lengthy parade and the lack of a large fly-past was noticeable because although it was blamed on poor weather, it was a bright day.”