Russia holds May 9 Red Square parade without military equipment amid Ukraine war

16 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 29

The Defence Ministry confirms the 2026 parade will feature servicemen from all branches and an air force flypast, but no military hardware or cadets from educational institutions.
This marks the first time since 2007 that heavy equipment is absent, reflecting the operational demands of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russian forces claim advances and peace talks remain stalled.
Victory Day remains a major Russian holiday, but the parade's scale is reduced as Moscow seeks full control of Donbas, while Ukraine resists territorial concessions and international focus shifts elsewhere.

Can Russia's army be growing stronger yet unable to stage a full parade?

How have Ukrainian drones grounded Russia's most iconic military spectacle?

What does this diminished parade reveal about Russia's long-term war capacity?

Is the Victory Day parade now more of a security risk than a show of strength?

With no tanks on Red Square, how will the Kremlin sell its war narrative?