The Russian government has announced a scaled-back version of the annual Victory Day parade, scheduled for May 9, citing security threats attributed to what it describes as terrorist activities by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stated on April 29 that the decision was made in response to ongoing military challenges and the perceived need to mitigate risks.
Peskov emphasized that while this year’s event is not a significant anniversary, it will still take place, albeit in a limited format. He noted, “This date is not a jubilee, but the parade will happen nonetheless.”
According to reports from the BBC Russian Service, mobile communication restrictions in Moscow will be intensified leading up to the parade. Authorities plan to limit mobile service on May 5, 7, and 9, potentially affecting SMS messaging as well.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on April 28 that there will be no military hardware featured in this year’s parade on Red Square. Additionally, cadets from military schools, including Suvorov and Nakhimov institutions, will not participate.
The last time the Moscow parade was held without military equipment was in 2007. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the victory in what Russia refers to as the Great Patriotic War, a term used to describe the period of World War II when the Soviet Union fought against Nazi Germany.
Russia will conduct a reduced Victory Day parade on May 9 due to security concerns linked to perceived terrorist threats from Ukraine. The event will lack military hardware and participation from military cadets, marking a significant change from previous years.