Russia will hold a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 to mark the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. For the first time in almost two decades, the event will take place without armored vehicles or missile systems rolling across Red Square.
The Russian Defense Ministry cited the current operational situation for the change, amid fears of long-range attacks by Ukrainian drones. This decision comes as the war in Ukraine takes its toll on the army.
While the event usually showcases military hardware and armored vehicles as a display of Russia's military might, heavy military equipment will be absent for the first time since 2007.
An Air force plane will still perform a flypast during the event. At the end of the parade, the aircraft will display the white, blue, and red colors of the national flag.