The Moscow Victory Day parade this year will be notably scaled back, with Russian President Vladimir Putin overseeing the event without the traditional display of military hardware. For the first time in nearly 20 years, no heavy military equipment will be showcased during the commemoration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany on Red Square. This change reflects increased security concerns due to potential threats from Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital.
In addition to the reduced parade, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on international leaders to boycott the Moscow event, highlighting geopolitical tensions surrounding the occasion. The decision to limit the parade and Zelensky's warning underscore the heightened unease and complex political climate influencing this year's Victory Day observance in Russia.