Russia Holds Scaled-Back World War II Victory Day Parade Amid Growing Concerns Over War in Ukraine

Reuters

Russian service members take part in a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Vladivostok, Russia, 9 May 2026.

Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on Saturday are expected to be significantly more subdued than in previous years, amid security concerns linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

The 9 May parade in Red Square marks one of Russia’s most important national commemorations, honouring the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and paying tribute to the approximately 27 million Soviet citizens who lost their lives during the war, including many from Ukraine.

Traditionally used to showcase Russia’s military strength — including its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles — this year’s parade will notably proceed without tanks or other heavy military equipment crossing the cobbled square.

Nevertheless, soldiers are expected to march past the Lenin's Mausoleum, while fighter aircraft fly above the towers of the Moscow Kremlin. Vladimir Putin is also expected to deliver an address before laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"In general, everything is as usual, except ⁠for the demonstration of military equipment," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

After Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating unilateral ceasefires they had each declared over recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire from Saturday to Monday that was supported by the Kremlin and Kyiv. The two sides also agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners.

"I'd like to see it stop. Russia-Ukraine - it's the worst thing since World War Two in terms of life. Twenty-five thousand young soldiers every month. It's crazy," President Trump told reporters in Washington.

He added that he would "like to see a big extension" of the ceasefire.

Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has warned that any attempt by Kyiv to disrupt Saturday’s commemorations would trigger a large-scale missile strike on the Ukrainian capital. Moscow also reportedly advised foreign diplomats to evacuate personnel from Kyiv in the event of such an escalation.

Following Operation Barbarossa, the Soviet Red Army ultimately drove Nazi forces back to Berlin, where Adolf Hitler took his own life before the Soviet Victory Banner was raised over the Reichstag Building in May 1945.

Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender came into effect at 11:01 p.m. on 8 May 1945, commemorated in United Kingdom, United States and France as Victory in Europe Day. In Moscow, however, it was already 9 May, which became the Soviet Union’s Victory Day during what Russians refer to as the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45.

This year’s parade, however, takes place amid growing unease in Moscow over the long-term outcome of the war in Ukraine.

Source: Reuters



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