Moscow Holds Scaled-Down Victory Day Parade Without Heavy Weapons Amid Tight Security
Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a significantly scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026, marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany. For the first time in nearly two decades, the Red Square ceremony excluded tanks, missiles, and other heavy weaponry, a change officials attributed to current operational needs in Ukraine and heightened security concerns. Despite the absence of heavy equipment, Putin used the occasion to express strong confidence in eventual victory in Ukraine, describing the conflict as a just cause against NATO-supported aggression. The event featured tight security measures and included troops from North Korea, acknowledging Pyongyang's military support. The parade occurred alongside a U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, announced by President Donald Trump, although previous truce attempts had failed. Tensions remained high, with Russia threatening massive strikes on Kyiv if Ukraine attempted to disrupt the celebrations, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mockingly declared Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian strikes. The event underscored the ongoing war's impact on Russian domestic traditions and international diplomatic dynamics.
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