In Moscow, the May 9 military parade in 2026 will take place without the participation of military equipment or cadets, marking the first such instance in history. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Russia, according to UNN.
Details
The department stated that only foot units—personnel from higher military educational institutions of various branches of the armed forces—will participate in the event on Red Square dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the victory. Columns of equipment, which have traditionally been a key element of the parade, are not planned for this year.
Furthermore, students of Suvorov and Nakhimov schools, as well as cadet corps, will not participate in the parade. The Russian Ministry of Defense explained this decision by citing the "current situation."
Emphasis on war and aviation
During the broadcast, there are plans to show servicemen performing tasks in the combat zone of the so-called "SMO," as well as those on combat duty, particularly in the Strategic Missile Forces, Aerospace Forces, and on naval vessels.
At the same time, the aerial part of the parade will be preserved: aerobatic teams are expected to fly over Moscow, and Su-25 attack aircraft will conclude the event by painting the sky in the colors of the Russian flag.