The Kremlin has announced that this year’s May 9 parade on Red Square in Moscow will take place without the participation of columns of military equipment. This was reported by the spokesperson for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, who explained the decision by the activity that the Kremlin describes as “terrorist” from Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Changes to the parade format and security measures
As Peskov stated on April 29, the parade will be held in a shortened format due to the threat of terrorist attacks. He emphasized that “the Kyiv regime, which loses territory on the battlefield every day, is now fully engaged in terrorist activity. Therefore, in light of this terrorist threat, all measures are being taken to minimize danger.”
“The Kyiv regime, which loses territory on the battlefield every day, is now fully engaged in terrorist activity. Therefore, in light of this terrorist threat, all measures are being taken to minimize danger.”
He also reminded that last year marked a jubilee parade, and this year’s date is not a jubilee, but the parade will still take place, albeit in a modified form.
Additional restrictions and historical context
According to the Russian BBC service, the authorities in Moscow plan to significantly tighten mobile communication restrictions before and during the parade. In particular, mobile networks may be completely blocked on May 5, 7, and 9, as well as the sending of SMS messages.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that columns of military equipment will not be allowed to participate in the parade, nor will students from Suvorov military schools, Nakhimov naval schools, and cadet corps. The last parade without military equipment in Moscow took place in 2007.
In 2026, the Russian Federation will celebrate the 81st anniversary of victory in the so-called Great Patriotic War, which in the Russian official historical concept covers the period from 1941 to 1945. It is worth noting that until June 1941, Stalin’s USSR collaborated with Nazi Germany and divided spheres of influence in Eastern Europe.