IRIA News

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Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026, but unlike previous years, the event lacked the tanks, missile launchers, and heavy military hardware traditionally displayed in Red Square.

The Victory Day parade commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and honors the estimated 27 million Soviet citizens who died during the conflict.

For decades, the event has also served as a powerful political and military symbol for the Kremlin. However, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing security concerns inside Russia, the 2026 ceremony reflected a far more cautious atmosphere.

Russia’s Defense Ministry attributed the scaled-back format to the “current operational situation,” a phrase widely interpreted as a reference to the continuing conflict in Ukraine and the increasing threat posed by Ukrainian long-range drone attacks.

In recent months, Ukrainian drones have managed to strike deeper into Russian territory, including areas near Moscow, forcing authorities to tighten security measures around key state events.

💐 Following the #Victory Parade, President Vladimir Putin & the foreign Leaders who attended the celebrations, laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – honouring the Soviet heroes who gave their lives to free humanity from Nazism.#Victory81 https://t.co/2zu6YOOgHm pic.twitter.com/i10vRsXRrC

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 9, 2026

The parade lasted roughly 45 minutes and featured marching soldiers, fighter jet flyovers, and large digital displays showing intercontinental ballistic missiles, drones, submarines, and other military equipment.

Despite the absence of actual heavy weapons on Red Square, the Kremlin still attempted to project an image of military strength through visual presentations and patriotic messaging.

Putin Defends War and Blames NATO

Addressing the crowd, Putin defended Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, continuing to frame the conflict as a struggle against Western aggression.

“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said during his speech.

“They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the whole bloc of NATO. And despite this, our heroes move forward,” he added.

Putin also praised Russian workers, scientists, military correspondents, teachers, and doctors for supporting the country during wartime, arguing that Russia’s endurance depends not only on military power but also on national unity.

The Russian leader appeared under heavy security throughout the ceremony amid increasing reports that the Kremlin has intensified protective measures around him due to concerns over possible assassination attempts and internal instability. Russian authorities also sharply restricted media access to the parade.

Foreign Leaders Attend Event 

The gathering of world leaders at this year’s parade was smaller in contrast with 2025, when Russia marked the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat and several prominent leaders, including the Chinese President Xi Jinping, sat alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.  

Despite the smaller scale, several leaders from across Asia and the former Soviet region attended the celebrations.  

Among the leaders present were Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim, and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also traveled to Moscow, becoming the only European Union leader to attend Victory Day-related events this year. 

The Kremlin’s guest list included delegations from the breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and representatives from Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov also attended the event along with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Battlefield Progress Remains Slow

One example frequently cited by analysts is Russia’s offensive near the city of Pokrovsk, where advances reportedly averaged only around 70 meters per day over nearly two years. Analysts compared the pace to some of the slowest and bloodiest offensives of World War I.

Despite these difficulties, Moscow continues to insist that it can outlast Ukraine in a prolonged war of attrition. Russian forces have maintained pressure across the extensive front line while continuing missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and military positions.

The parade also took place during a temporary three-day ceasefire brokered with support from U.S. President Donald Trump.

The truce, running from May 9 to May 11, reportedly included a pause in major military operations and plans for a large prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side.

Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social, calling it a potential turning point in the conflict. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought war,” Trump stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded with visible sarcasm, saying he would “permit the holding of a parade,” while emphasizing that the return of Ukrainian prisoners mattered more than ceremonies in Moscow.

Putin Signals Openness to Future Talks

Although the ceasefire largely appeared to hold during the parade, both Russia and Ukraine later accused each other of minor violations. Ukrainian officials said combat activity continued along parts of the front line, while Russia claimed Ukrainian drones and artillery targeted Russian troop positions.

Shortly after the Victory Day events, Putin also hinted that the war could eventually be approaching its conclusion.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, he stated that he believed “the matter is coming to an end,” while repeating accusations that Western countries and NATO had prolonged the conflict through military support for Kyiv.

However, Putin maintained that any direct meeting with Zelenskyy should happen only after the framework of a peace agreement is finalized. Russian President Putin also repeated Russia’s long-standing opposition to NATO expansion, calling it a “matter of life and death” for Russian security.

Despite occasional signs of diplomatic movement, major obstacles remain. Moscow continues to demand control over the entire Donbas region and opposes Ukraine joining NATO, while Kyiv refuses territorial concessions and insists on long-term security guarantees.

🎇 By tradition, the great holiday marking the triumph of good over evil – #VictoryDay – ends with salutes across the cities of our vast Fatherland.

A dazzling finale: fireworks over the domes of the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces in Kubinka!#Victory81 pic.twitter.com/qaZ7DXCHiI

— Russia 🇷🇺 (@Russia) May 9, 2026