Russia has announced it will scale back its annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, blaming what it described as a growing threat from Ukraine. The May 9 event, held every year in Red Square to mark the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, will not include the usual display of military hardware.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision was linked to heightened security risks and accused Ukraine of increased “terrorist activity.” Russia’s Defence Ministry also referred to the “current operational situation” as the reason for removing military vehicles from the parade.
The change means tanks, missile systems and other heavy military equipment will be absent from one of Russia’s most symbolic national events. The Guardian reported that this will be the first time in nearly 20 years that Moscow’s Victory Day parade will be held without military hardware.
Victory Day has long been used by President Vladimir Putin as a major display of Russian military strength and national unity. Last year’s 80th anniversary event featured a large military display and was attended by foreign leaders, including China’s president. This year’s more restrained version marks a clear shift in tone as the war in Ukraine continues.
The decision comes as Ukraine has expanded long range drone attacks inside Russia, targeting oil facilities, logistics sites and other infrastructure linked to Moscow’s war effort. Analysts say large military columns and parade rehearsals could be vulnerable to drone strikes before the event.
Russia has previously reduced parts of Victory Day celebrations since its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but removing major military equipment from the Red Square parade carries strong symbolism. For critics, the decision may reflect security fears, battlefield pressure and the difficulty of staging a confident military spectacle during an ongoing war.
The Kremlin is likely to frame the scaled back parade as a necessary security measure. But for many observers, the absence of tanks and missiles will stand out because Victory Day has traditionally been one of Russia’s most important opportunities to project power at home and abroad.
