Russia Cancels Military Parade for May 9: No Armored Vehicles on Display for First Time Since 2007

May 9, 2025 Celebrations in Russia

According to Главком: Security measures for Russia's May 9, 2025 celebrations will be unprecedented in scope. For the first time since 2007, Moscow's Red Square will not feature a column of military vehicles, with authorities citing terrorist threats as the official reason. Similar restrictions on displaying equipment have been imposed in other cities, including Tomsk and Krasnodar.

Additionally, Moscow plans a complete shutdown of mobile internet, along with blocking cellular communications and SMS services, and suspending operations of so-called whitelist applications. Electronic warfare countermeasures are also expected in Volgograd.

Foreign Leader Attendance

Against this backdrop, the number of foreign leaders confirmed to attend the celebrations has sharply declined-from 27 in 2024 to just 4 in 2025. These include:

• the president of Belarus
• the president of Kazakhstan
• the president of Kyrgyzstan
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico

In Saint Petersburg, spectator capacity has been capped at approximately 300 people per grandstand. World War II veterans have been replaced by participants in the aggression against Ukraine. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to visit Moscow on May 9 to take part in events marking the 81st anniversary of Victory. He intends to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Putin celebrates May 9 the way he wages war: hiding losses and presenting retreat as strategy.” - Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service

These changes in the celebration's organization have sparked discussion. The restrictions imposed during the festivities reflect an escalation in Russia's domestic and foreign political situation. Heightened security measures may indicate the authorities' fears of potential protests or terrorist acts, as well as Russia's growing international isolation. The reduced number of foreign guests underscores worsening diplomatic relations, which also affect domestic policy and the country's image. In this context, the May 9 celebration may be seen not only as a commemorative event but also as a tool for demonstrating strength and control by Russian authorities.

The unprecedented absence of military hardware at this year's celebrations marks a significant shift in Russia's traditional observance of Victory Day. This decision, influenced by security concerns, has led to a notable decline in the attendance of foreign dignitaries compared to previous years. For a deeper understanding of the implications of this change, including the absence of military displays in Moscow for the first time since the onset of the full-scale war, read more about it here.