Story perspectives

Moscow Victory Day Parade Omits Tanks, Missiles Over Ukrainian Threat

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Moscow will hold the May 9 Victory Day parade without tanks, missiles or cadet units, the first omission since 2007.
The Defense Ministry said the parade will lack equipment, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it a Ukrainian “terrorist threat.”
The ceremony will still feature marching servicemen and an aircraft fly-over, while Moscow will impose internet restrictions on May 5, 7 and 9 after Ukrainian drone strikes, including the Perm oil facility.

History

Historical Context

On 9 May 1995, President Boris Yeltsin presided over Russia’s first post-Soviet Victory Day parade, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender. The ceremony split between a veterans’ march on Red Square and a military display on Poklonnaya Hill, ending the Soviet-era practice of holding parades only on major jubilees and establishing an annual tradition.

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Story summary

Moscow will hold the May 9 Victory Day parade without tanks, missiles or cadet units, the first omission since 2007.
The Defense Ministry said the parade will lack equipment, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it a Ukrainian “terrorist threat.”
The ceremony will still feature marching servicemen and an aircraft fly-over, while Moscow will impose internet restrictions on May 5, 7 and 9 after Ukrainian drone strikes, including the Perm oil facility.

1 / 2