A HUMILIATED Vladimir Putin has been forced to scale back Russia’s Victory Day parade as his war in Ukraine takes its toll.
The May 9 parade on Moscow’s Red Square is a highlight of the Russian calendar, commemorating victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
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This year the parade will only include Russian servicemen Credit: EPA
Members of the Russian National Guard patrol the area near Red Square Credit: Reuters
But this year the Defence Ministry said there would be no tanks, missile systems or cadets.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “The Kyiv regime, which is losing ground on the battlefield every day, has now launched full-scale terrorist activity.
“All measures are being taken to minimise the danger.”
It comes after Ukraine ramped up its strikes on Moscow, hitting military targets, ports and oil facilities.
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Russian National Guard on patrol near Red Square amid a ‘terrorist threat’ from Ukraine Credit: Reuters
Russian military armored vehicles take part in the Victory Day military parade in 2024 Credit: EPA
Peskov noted this year’s event is not a major anniversary.
Previously, Russia has flexed its military capability with weapons like intercontinental ballistic missiles at the parade.
Putin has also used the event to whip up patriotism and rally the nation behind his war in Ukraine – now in its fifth year.
More than 20 world leaders were ushered into Moscow for the 80th anniversary of the Nazi defeat last year.
A Kremlin Spokesman said ‘all measures are being taken to minimise the danger’ Credit: Reuters
Russian military take part in the 2025 Victory parade Credit: Getty
The spectacle was packed out with 11,000 troops, about 150 military vehicles and an array of modern weaponry.
In its statement late on Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry said the parade will include Russian servicemen as well as aircraft and Su-25 jets.
But it made clear that cadets from military schools and youth institutions “will not participate”.
It is the first time in almost two decades the event has gone without military hardware.
Russian war bloggers have suggested Moscow fears Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting military equipment.
Ruslan Leviev, an independent analyst, told TV Rain outlet: “Equipment is vulnerable even during the preparation stage.
“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.”
Meanwhile the revelation has drawn mocking comments from Putin’s critics.
Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter who is now on Russia’s “foreign agent” list, posted on social media: “Are they afraid of a mutiny? Or has all the equipment burned up in Ukraine?”
Ukrainian long-range drones continue to strike Russian territory on an almost daily basis.
Kyiv blasted two major oil plants in the Russian town of Tuapse and smothered the region in oil, fires and toxic black smoke.
Overnight, Ukrainian attack drones also struck an oil pumping station in Russia’s Perm region, deep in the Urals.
The escalating blasts follow Putin’s refusal to hammer out a ceasefire deal over Easter.
