News Wrap: Russia’s Victory Day celebrations downsized as military struggles in Ukraine

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• Geoff Bennett:

  In the day's other headlines: Federal prosecutors reportedly filed criminal charges against freshmen Congressman George Santos. There's no word on what the charges are.

  The New York Republican has been widely condemned for lying about his background and past accomplishments. There have also been questions about his campaign finances.

  Russia celebrated Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but the day's events were sharply downsized or canceled outright, as the Russian military struggles in Ukraine.

  Nick Schifrin reports.

  Also, the U.S. and…

• Nick Schifrin:

  The pomp, pageantry and patriotism of Russia's secular holiday Victory Day commemorates an 80-year-old Soviet victory.

  Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed, today's Russia faces an existential threat and is fighting it in Eastern Ukraine.

• Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through translator):

  Today, the civilization is once again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been unleashed against our motherland, but we have rebuffed international terrorism and we will protect residents of the Donbass and we will ensure our security.

• Nick Schifrin:

  But there was a lot less security on display this year. The artillery and air defense were all apparently in use in Ukraine, and the only tank that drove into Red Square was 80 years old. That's a far cry from last year's show of force. Even the Russian faithful noticed.

• Yelena Orlova, Moscow Resident (through translator):

  This is weak. There are no tanks.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Eliminated entirely, one of Russia's most solemn processions, which we saw in 2017, commemorating those killed in World War II felt by every Russian family, not like today, when the names and numbers of those killed in Ukraine are often kept secret.

  And Russia also marked today's Victory Day by firing more missiles at Kyiv, which shot most of them down.

  But today is also Europe Day. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who offered no progress on Ukraine's E.U. bid, but a vision of Europe that includes Ukraine and excludes Russia.

• Ursula Von Der Leyen, President, European Commission:

  They are afraid of the success you represent and the example you show. And they are afraid of your path to the European Union.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through translator):

  Our efforts for a united Europe, for security and peace need to be as strong as Russia's desire to destroy our security, our freedom, our Europe.

• Nick Schifrin:

  And so, as Russia observed the past to fight what it calls an existential war against the West, Ukraine welcomed its future, integrated into the West.

  For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Nick Schifrin.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Also today, the U.S. announced a new installment of long-term aid to bolster Ukraine's air defenses. It totals $1.2 billion.

  The U.S. Justice Department says it has disrupted a Russian spyware campaign that lasted 20 years. Federal prosecutors said today that Russian software known as Snake infected computers and stole secrets in dozens of countries. They say a new operation this week has effectively crippled the Russian effort.

  In the Middle East, Israeli airstrikes killed three senior commanders of Islamic Jihad in Gaza early today, Palestinian officials said 10 others also died, including children. The strikes lit up the night sky with explosions at an apartment building and two homes. At midday, hundreds of Palestinians held a funeral procession and armed groups vowed to respond.

  Hours later, the Israelis said another airstrike killed two militants howling missiles in Gaza.

  Violent protests erupted today across Pakistan after authorities arrested former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. Video from the scene show troops in riot gear dragging the opposition leader into an armored car in Islamabad this morning. That touched off clashes between protesters and security forces, with at least one person killed and dozens hurt.

  Khan's supporters insisted the charges are baseless.

• Qaiser Mirdad Khan, Khan Supporter (through translator):

  We were not expecting them to arrest Khan, who is such a dearly loved leader. We hadn't thought that even they would cross that red line. Now we are calling on our leadership and our youth to come out in every street, every alley, every town.

• Geoff Bennett:

  As the violence escalated, authorities blocked Internet and social media in the capital and other cities.

  Back in this country, a two-day sentencing hearing began in Texas for Army Sergeant Daniel Penny, who killed an armed Black Lives Matter protester in 2020. Perry was convicted of murder last month and could get a life sentence. The case drew new attention after Republican Governor Greg Abbott said he intends to pardon Perry.

  And, on Wall Street, stocks edged lower as investors waited for tomorrow's inflation report. The Dow Jones industrial average lost about 57 points to close it 33561. The Nasdaq fell 77 points. The S&P 500 gave up 19.

  And still to come on the "PBS NewsHour": new guidelines recommend earlier mammogram screenings to combat a rise in breast cancer among younger women; a congressman discusses the change to immigration policy that's putting pressure on border towns; and Texas mourns the victims of a mass shooting, as the gunman's extremist views come to light.