Russia has decided to scale down its annual Victory Day parade scheduled for 9 May in Moscow, citing heightened security concerns linked to what officials describe as threats from Ukraine.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, authorities are implementing strict measures to reduce potential risks. Despite the changes, the ceremony will still take place at Red Square, a symbolic location for the commemoration.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed that this year’s parade will not include heavy military equipment or cadets from traditional military academies. Instead, the event will feature personnel from various branches of the armed forces along with an aerial display. The adjustments reflect what officials describe as the current operational environment.
The decision comes as Ukraine has stepped up strikes deep inside Russian territory, more than four years into the ongoing conflict. Kyiv maintains that its actions target military infrastructure, while Moscow accuses Ukraine of carrying out attacks against civilians.
Peskov reiterated Russia’s position, alleging that Ukraine has intensified what he called “terrorist activity,” and stressed that security remains the top priority for the upcoming event.
Victory Day, which marks the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II—known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War—remains one of the country’s most important national observances. In recent years, the parade has been used to showcase military strength, a tradition reinforced by President Vladimir Putin since 2008.
Last year’s celebration drew more than 20 international leaders and included displays of advanced military hardware. However, this year will mark the first time since the start of the Ukraine conflict that armoured vehicles will be absent from the parade.
Reports of a scaled-down event had already surfaced earlier this month, with commentators pointing to increased risks from long-range aerial attacks. Some analysts suggested that even the threat of disruption during the ceremony could carry significant symbolic impact.
Additional security measures are also expected across the capital, including tighter restrictions on mobile communications during key dates in early May.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have denied any intention to target the event. Adviser Mykhailo Podoliak stated that Ukraine does not strike civilian gatherings, noting that large numbers of civilians typically attend the parade.
In recent weeks, several drone attacks have been reported across Russia, including strikes on energy infrastructure such as oil facilities in regions far from the border. Ukrainian authorities say these operations are aimed at weakening Russia’s war capabilities, while Moscow reports that many of the incoming threats are intercepted.
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