MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin will address a heavily fortified Victory Day ceremony in Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, commemorating the end of World War II amid unprecedented security measures and ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
For the first time in almost twenty years, the annual military display will exclude tanks, missiles, and other heavy weaponry, featuring only the traditional aircraft flyover. Putin, who has held power for over 25 years, typically uses Russia’s most significant national holiday to display military strength and build support for the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, now in its fifth year.
Russian officials attributed the modified parade format to the “current operational situation” and cited potential threats from Ukrainian forces. Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov confirmed that authorities have implemented “additional security measures” for the event.
Both nations attempted ceasefires this week that ultimately failed. Russia announced a temporary halt to hostilities for Friday and Saturday, while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a truce beginning May 6, though both sides accused each other of continued attacks.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to his ceasefire proposal running Saturday through Monday, including a prisoner exchange, calling it potentially the “beginning of the end” of the conflict.
Zelenskyy, who earlier suggested Russian officials “fear drones may buzz over Red Square” on May 9, responded to Trump’s announcement by issuing a decree sarcastically allowing Russia to proceed with Victory Day celebrations while temporarily designating Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian attacks.
Peskov dismissed Zelenskyy’s decree as a “silly joke,” telling reporters, “We don’t need anyone’s permission to be proud of our Victory Day.”
While Russia’s larger military forces continue making gradual progress along the 1,000-kilometer front line, Ukraine has responded with increasingly effective long-range strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, and military installations. Ukrainian forces have developed drone technology capable of reaching targets more than 1,000 kilometers inside Russian territory, far exceeding their pre-2022 capabilities.
Russian officials threatened a “massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv” if Ukraine attempts to interfere with Saturday’s celebrations. The Defense Ministry urged civilians and foreign diplomatic staff to “leave the city promptly,” though European Union representatives stated their diplomats would remain in the Ukrainian capital despite the warnings.
Putin has consistently utilized Victory Day ceremonies to promote national unity and emphasize Russia’s global influence. The Soviet Union suffered 27 million casualties during 1941-45 in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War, a massive loss that profoundly affected the national consciousness and remains one of the few unifying elements in the country’s complex Communist-era history.
Red Square Victory Day parades have featured extensive displays of military hardware — including armored vehicles and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles — annually since 2008. Regional parades throughout the country have also been reduced or cancelled entirely due to security considerations.
As military units prepared for Saturday’s march, Moscow authorities restricted mobile internet and text messaging services throughout the capital, citing public safety requirements. The government has systematically increased internet restrictions and online monitoring, leading to growing public frustration and rare expressions of dissent.
International guests scheduled to attend the Moscow festivities include Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, representing a European Union member nation, planned to meet with Putin and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial near the Kremlin but intended to skip the Red Square parade.
