Steven Seagal and Oliver Stone attend Moscow’s Victory Day parade

Hollywood Stars Make Unexpected Appearance at Moscow’s Victory Day Parade

In an event designed to showcase Russia’s military power, a surprising face stood out among the leaders gathered in Moscow – ’90s action movie star Steven Seagal. Known for his affinity with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Seagal was seen mingling with the crowd during the Victory Day celebrations, as covered by state media outlet Izvestia.

Footage of Seagal navigating through the assembly surfaced on social media, capturing the attention of many. According to Agence France-Presse, Seagal was spotted sitting near the Night Wolves, a Russian nationalist biker gang. A longtime supporter of Moscow, Seagal acquired Russian citizenship in 2016 and was appointed as a special representative by Russia’s foreign ministry in 2018 to promote cultural ties with the U.S.

Seagal wasn’t the only American film figure in attendance. Oliver Stone, a director with three Oscars to his name, was also present. Stone, who has made a documentary about Putin, has often praised the Russian leader, referring to him as a “great leader” in a recent interview with The Guardian. Photographs captured Stone shaking hands with Putin during a reception.

This year’s parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat, aimed to impress with its scale. Unlike the toned-down parades of the past two years, attributed to resource conservation for the ongoing conflict, the event drew numerous leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping.

The procession featured modern military hardware such as Iskander and Yars ballistic missiles, Tornado-S rocket launchers, and T-90 tanks. Su-25 fighter jets flew over Moscow, leaving trails of colored smoke, while Russian attack drones made their debut in the parade.

In the lead-up to the parade, Ukraine’s threats of drone strikes led to temporary airport closures near Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned against attending the event, stating, “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.” On the day itself, Russia intensified security measures, including cutting internet access in central Moscow, to counter any potential drone threats.