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Russian President Vladimir Putin faced widespread online attention following a rare public appearance in Moscow, where observers focused on his noticeably altered and swollen facial features during a scaled-down Victory Day celebration.

The 73-year-old leader appeared briefly at a subdued parade marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The event, held in Red Square, was notably shorter and more restrained than in previous years.

Putin’s appearance quickly drew reactions on social media, with critics and commentators speculating about his health and the impact of international sanctions. Some users suggested that the abbreviated nature of the event and his limited time in public added to the intrigue.

“Putin, what’s with the face?” a pro-Ukraine account quipped on X, noting, “The parade ended at lightning speed — just 45 minutes The Kremlin boss [was] immediately rushed off Red Square surrounded by heavy security.”

Images circulating online showed Putin with what some described as a strained expression, prompting further commentary from observers.

“Putin’s last parade,” one user wrote.

Another commenter added, “Putin genuinely looks sick, this isn’t the face of a well man even for his age.”

Additional posts speculated about his extended time away from public view, with one user writing, “Putin must be residing in the bunker for an extended period, possibly even longer than this year. He seems to be in dire need of some Botox touch-ups.”

Observers also noted the reduced scale of the parade, which lacked the usual display of heavy military equipment such as armored vehicles and ballistic missiles, as well as the heightened security surrounding the event.

Moscow was placed under tight security measures, including temporary shutdowns of internet services, amid ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks targeting Russian territory.

“Putin used to always walk to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, for the first time in history, he rode an armored bus,” the Ukrainian X user wrote.

Even commentators supportive of the Kremlin acknowledged that the event did not match the scale of previous years.

“It was a modest parade,” pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov wrote on Telegram, adding, “There are still enormous challenges ahead.”

During his appearance, Putin referenced the Soviet Union’s sacrifices in World War II as he sought to rally support for Russia’s ongoing military campaign, without directly naming the conflict in Ukraine.

“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the warriors carrying out the tasks of the special military operation,” Putin said.

“They stand against an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward. Victory has always been and will always be ours,” he said.

Ahead of the parade, President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a temporary three-day ceasefire along with a prisoner exchange involving roughly 1,000 individuals.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on Friday that he would “permit” Russia to proceed with the parade by refraining from launching an attack.

The temporary ceasefire was scheduled to conclude on Monday.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged the Singapore-based company that managed the cargo ship responsible for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, along with a senior employee, in connection with the disaster that claimed six lives.

The indictment names Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. of Singapore and Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. of Chennai, India. It also charges Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian national who served as the technical superintendent for the Dali container ship.

The Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, leading to its catastrophic collapse and killing six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the structure at the time.

Prosecutors have filed charges including conspiracy, failure to promptly notify the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of a federal proceeding, and making false statements.

The FBI’s investigation centered on how the vessel was operated and whether those in charge were aware of serious mechanical issues before the ship departed.

According to findings by the National Transportation Safety Board, the ship suffered two electrical failures before the crash—one linked to a loose wire and another tied to a malfunctioning fuel pump—which left the vessel without steering control.

The Dali had departed from Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka when it lost power, rendering its steering system inoperable. At approximately 1:30 a.m., the ship collided with a key support column of the bridge.

Officials in Maryland estimate that rebuilding the bridge will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with completion projected for late 2030.

State officials say the broader consequences of the disaster extended far beyond the physical destruction. The collapse shut down shipping operations at the Port of Baltimore, disrupted thousands of jobs, forced traffic into already burdened communities, and caused widespread economic damage across the state.

The criminal charges follow a previously announced agreement in principle between the State of Maryland, Synergy Marine, and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based owner of the vessel, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown.

The civil lawsuit tied to that agreement alleges that the incident resulted from negligence, poor oversight, and the operation of a vessel that was unfit for service and should not have departed.

Those seeking damages include the families of the six victims, businesses whose cargo was aboard the ship, and government entities pursuing compensation for economic losses. While a settlement framework has been reached, details have not been made public and some claims remain unresolved.

Maryland has sought compensation for damage to public infrastructure, environmental harm to the Patapsco River, lost revenue, and the broader financial impact on the state and its residents.

The attorney general’s office has said that the agreement does not address potential claims against the shipbuilder, Hyundai.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major Baltimore landmark, served as a critical transportation route that allowed motorists to bypass the city’s downtown. The 1.6-mile steel structure took five years to complete and first opened in 1977.

{Matzav.com}