Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia's Victory Day Parade on May 9 could be targeted by Ukrainian drones, as the Kremlin struggles to showcase its military might. The threat comes amid escalating reports that Vladimir Putin is increasingly isolated and living in bunkers for weeks, fearing a palace coup.
According to intelligence cited by independent Russian outlet Important Stories, Putin's security has been dramatically tightened since March 2026 due to fears of a plot or assassination attempt. The report, based on analysis from an unnamed EU intelligence agency, alleges that former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is associated with the risk of a coup.
Putin's paranoia has led to the Federal Protective Service implementing two levels of screening for visitors, including full body searches. The president no longer visits his usual residences in the Moscow region or Valdai, instead taking refuge in renovated bunkers in the Krasnodar region, where he may work for weeks using pre-recorded footage for public appearances.
The warning from Zelensky follows a Russian strike on Kharkiv that killed four people and injured 16. The Ukrainian president noted that this year's parade will lack military equipment for the first time in many years, symbolising Russia's weakened state. Meanwhile, the arrest of Shoigu's former deputy, Ruslan Tsalikov, on corruption charges is seen as an attempt to weaken the former defence minister.
