Drone danger
Victory parade in Moscow without military technology
Updated April 29, 2026 – 8:22 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Thousands of soldiers march past Kremlin chief Putin – on May 9th, Russia always shows its military power. But this year an important part of the parade has to be cancelled.
Due to fears of Ukrainian drone attacks, the traditional Victory Day military parade in Moscow will take place this year without tanks and missiles. The demonstration of military technology on May 9th was canceled due to the “operational situation,” said the Defense Ministry in the Russian capital.
Instead, the deployment of Russian soldiers from all branches of the armed forces should be shown during the television broadcast of the parade – including in the war against Ukraine and in the command posts of the nuclear forces. Thousands of officer candidates march past Red Square.
In repelling the Moscow invasion, the Ukrainian army has expanded its counterattacks with combat drones into the Russian hinterland in recent months.
Russia traditionally celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945 on May 9th. The military parade in front of President Vladimir Putin on Red Square also served to demonstrate Russia’s power with intercontinental ballistic missiles and modern tanks. However, the extent of military technology on display also fluctuated in earlier years. The last time any technology was demonstrated was in 2007.
Another commemorative event is the so-called Immortal Regiment, in which Russians carry portraits of relatives who were killed in the war. This year, the campaign will take place regionally as a real march or online, depending on the security situation.
