The parade is a grand display of military technology, for the rest of the world, but also for the population. 

"It is an important demonstration for the Russian people to see, a lot of money has gone to the armed forces," says Gudrun Persson. 

Despite the pandemic, the parade is held, with over 14,000 people present. But this is nothing that has created reactions, according to Gudrun Persson. 

- They say that all participants have been quarantined before. However, Moscow had to lift restrictions in the city earlier than, for example, Mayor Sergei Sobjanin wanted, but in general, you think you have the pandemic under control, she says. 

Some cities have canceled the event, citing health risks. Sergei Sobjanin has come up with a request not to go out on the streets and squares to watch the parade, but to stay home and watch it on TV instead. 

New turn

Under Boris Yeltsin's rule, military technology was toned down in the parade, partly for financial reasons, but also because it was not what one wanted to emphasize. The parade has undergone a drastic change since then.

- It is an impressive display of strength, with many thousands of people present, says Gudrun Persson.

There is no opposition to the parade, it is not considered controversial. 

- There is no opposition in our sense, there is system-approved opposition, but no one who questions. And not even among the extraterrestrial are there strong reactions to this, it is in that case personal, that one demonstrates the greatness of the country with military technology.

"Easy to manipulate"

On July 1st, the people will approve a change in the constitution which means that Putin can remain in power until 2036, but already tomorrow, it will be possible to start voting, including through distance voting on the internet which has been criticized because it can be easy to manipulate, according to Gudrun Persson.

- It is an authoritarian political system, we cannot talk about democratic development, it is about vertical power. But in such a system, it is important for Putin to be able to point out that he has the people with him.