The parade was scaled down, lasting only 45 minutes and not featuring a mobile military column for the first time since 2008 due to security concerns from the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Parade summary
After public discussion and exchanges of threats about the safety of the parade, it was held after US presidentDonald Trump secured the agreement of Ukraine not to attack the event, contingent on an exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war by each side. Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy signed a mocking decree granting Russia permission to hold the parade.[1]
The parade was scaled down and curtailed to only 45 minutes, and for the first time since its reintroduction in 2008, did not feature a mobile column of military technologies, due to security fears stemming from the Russo-Ukrainian war.[2][3][4][5][1]
In between the anthem and the beginning of the Parade, a segment dedicated to the branches and arms of the Russian Armed Forces, including the recently founded Unmanned Systems Forces, and their activities in the war with Ukraine was played.
On May 8, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree which permitted the parade to go on in Moscow, and that from 10:00 AM Kyiv Time to the end of May 9th, Red Square was to be excluded from a plan on usage of weapons.[11]
Full order of the 2026 parade
Bold indicates first appearance, italic indicates multiple appearances, Bold and italic indicate returning appearance, all indicated unless otherwise noted.
↑Did not attend watching the military parade itself, only the official diplomatic reception. Also laid weath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall.[10]
