Cancellation of May 9 Parade in Russia Due to Threats from New Ukrainian Missiles

In Russia, amid rising tensions, so-called military bloggers have begun actively discussing the possibility of canceling the traditional May 9 parade. This discussion is linked to concerns about new Ukrainian missiles that could threaten the safety of mass events.

This information emerged from reports by Russian Telegram channels that surfaced on April 8. Specifically, the network circulated claims regarding the alleged cancellation of parades in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as bloggers argued that holding such mass events under missile threat conditions is impractical.

One military correspondent, Ilya Tumanov, noted that canceling the parade would deal a significant blow to the media image, even if no missile were to reach its target. He asserted that the aerial component of the parade has already been canceled and speculated that the event might be postponed to another date. This speculation is based on the fact that on April 5, when the ground rehearsal for the parade was supposed to take place, military personnel were reportedly ordered to return to their permanent deployment points 'until further notice.'

Information regarding the cancellation of the parade has also come from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Local channels reported that parade units are returning to their bases. However, no official statements regarding the cancellation of the parade have been made by regional authorities, which has raised additional questions among the public.

The Kremlin, for its part, has not provided a clear answer to inquiries about the May 9 parade. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stated that 'we are preparing for the celebration of Victory Day,' but did not clarify whether the parade would take place in its usual format.

These developments occur against the backdrop of information released by the BBC in April 2025. According to reports, Ukraine has developed a new missile named Bars, which belongs to the drone missile class and has a range of up to 800 kilometers. This has raised concerns within Russian military circles, as such weaponry could significantly alter the balance of power in the region.

Moreover, in December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country had begun deploying a domestically produced ballistic missile named Sapsan. These developments underscore Ukraine's growing military capabilities, which undoubtedly influence Russia's strategic decisions regarding military parades and other mass events.

Thus, the situation surrounding the potential cancellation of the May 9 parade in Russia is not only a matter of domestic policy but also part of a broader context of military actions between Russia and Ukraine. In light of rising tensions and new threats, the Kremlin is compelled to reassess its plans, which could have serious implications for the country’s image on the international stage.