Russia to hold Victory Day parade without military hardware due to fears of Ukraine attack

Russia will hold a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May, without military hardware for the first time in almost two decades due to fears of a long-range attack by Ukrainian drones. The defence ministry said no armoured vehicles or missile systems would roll across Red Square during the parade, which marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, citing “the current operational situation”. Cadets from military schools and youth military institutions would also not take part, it added. The Kremlin said on Wednesday that “Ukrainian terrorist activity” was the reason behind the changes in the annual parade. Russian military bloggers and analysts have suggested that Moscow fears Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting military hardware before or during the parade. Ruslan Leviev, an independent analyst, told the TV Rain outlet: “Equipment is vulnerable even during the preparation stage, as columns park and rehearse outside Moscow on open training grounds that are easy to hit with drones. Hitting soldiers in the city centre among tourists would not be so straightforward.” Military vehicles and soldiers parading through Red Square during last year’s event. Photograph: Anadolu/ Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Victory Day parades have been toned down, with reduced military displays and fewer foreign guests. …