Russia's annual Victory Day parade on 9 May will feature no armoured vehicles or missile systems for the first time in nearly 20 years, the defence ministry has confirmed, citing “the current operational situation”. The decision comes amid fears of long-range Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military hardware before or during the event.
The parade, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, will also see cadets from military schools and youth military institutions not taking part. The Kremlin attributed the changes to “Ukrainian terrorist activity”.
Russian military bloggers and analysts have suggested Moscow is concerned that Ukrainian long-range drones could strike equipment during preparation or the parade itself. Independent analyst Ruslan Leviev noted that columns parked and rehearsing outside Moscow are vulnerable to drone attacks, whereas striking soldiers among tourists in the city centre would be less straightforward.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Victory Day parades have been scaled back with fewer foreign guests and reduced military displays. Last year's 80th anniversary was an exception, drawing at least 27 foreign heads of state and a full procession of tanks and rocket launchers.
Ukrainian long-range drones continue to strike Russian territory almost daily, focusing on industrial and military sites. Recent attacks include a strike on an oil pumping station in the Perm region, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised as a demonstration of precision from over 930 miles away, vowing to extend these ranges.
