For the first time in 19 years: Moscow’s military parade will take place without military equipment
29 April 11:17
Russian authorities have decided to drastically scale back the traditionally lavish Victory Day parade in Moscow. On May 9, 2026, it will take place without military equipment, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced. Instead of tanks and missile systems, only marching columns will pass through Red Square, reports "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Russian propaganda media.
“Students from the Suvorov Military Schools, the Nakhimov Naval School, and cadet corps will also not participate in the parade. Instead, a televised broadcast is planned showing the work of ‘troops operating in the Special Military Operation zone,’ as well as personnel on duty in the missile forces, the Aerospace Forces, and on ships. The decision was made ‘in connection with the operational situation,'” the report states.
Parades without heavy equipment were held in Russia from 1995 to 2007. Since 2008, Strategic Missile Forces missile systems, armored vehicles, and tanks have once again begun marching across Red Square. The 2015 anniversary parade set a record: 194 wheeled and tracked vehicles from various years, as well as 140 aircraft and helicopters. The 2024 parade set an anti-record: 61 vehicles and only 15 aircraft.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
It remains unclear which foreign leaders will attend the 2026 parade. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, was unable to name the foreign leaders who will visit Putin.
“We will announce it later,” Peskov promised.
The dictator’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, stated that several foreign politicians would be Putin’s guests, but did not name any names.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had previously announced plans to visit Moscow. On April 19, he said that Latvia and Lithuania were refusing to allow his plane to fly over their airspace. Later, Estonia made a similar decision, and Fico requested a flight corridor through Poland. Last week, Fico announced that he had decided not to participate in the parade. According to the prime minister, he is not abandoning his plans to visit Moscow and intends to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
