Samuel Schumacher – is the editor of the Swiss website Blick.ch. He specializes in international politics
Vladimir Putin is afraid. He fears that Ukrainian drones will play a major role during his parade on Saturday, May 9, on Red Square in Moscow.
Fearing an attack, the Kremlin limited this gigantic celebration to a minimum: no tanks and almost no foreign guests. In order not to be embarrassed in front of the whole world, Putin even wants to force a 48-hour ceasefire with Ukraine – but only for the duration of the May 9 parade. Still, he was unwise to attack Ukraine. He thus violated the ceasefire announced by Kyiv from midnight on May 6.
However, Ukraine is not fooled by the Kremlin – and it terrifies its enemy with the possibility of delivering a precise blow.
Military parades on May 9 are a national holiday in Russia. It is during them that the Kremlin celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany. Typically, Russia showcases everything the world's second-largest army has to offer during the main parade in Moscow.
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On Saturday, May 9, Putin will limit the pomp to a minimum. Several marching bands are to be present at the parade, several fighter jets are to conjure up Russian colors in the sky – and that's almost all.
Fearing a Ukrainian attack, Putin ordered over 280 air defense systems from various regions of the country to be transported to Moscow. In this way, it weakens regions whose air defense is already on the verge of exhaustion due to long-range Ukrainian attacks that have been ongoing for weeks.
Russia must watch helplessly
Kiev claims to have eliminated large parts of Russia's oil industry and a large number of air defense systems using home-made drones and cruise missiles. A strategically important oil storage facility in the Black Sea coastal town of Tuapse was hit by Ukraine four times in a short period of time. Russia had to watch helplessly.
A week before the Victory Day parade, Ukrainian drones appeared in the Moscow sky. One of them flew into a residential skyscraper, just six kilometers from the Kremlin. Another was chased for several minutes by two helicopters before he was apprehended. On Tuesday, a Ukrainian Flamingo-class cruise missile also hit a weapons factory located several hundred kilometers outside Moscow.
No wonder that, according to reports from the secret services, Putin hardly spends any time in his residences near Moscow anymore, but prefers to hide in luxurious bunkers in southern Russia. Apparently also because he fears a coup attempt from his own ranks.
Under these circumstances, almost none of the international guests will come to the Victory Parade. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico canceled his participation. Apart from Putin, only the presidents of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will sit on the rostrum on Saturday. This is a stark contrast to 2025, when 27 invited guests arrived – including Chinese President Xi Jinping and the then deposed ruler of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro.
Just how nervous Putin is is demonstrated by the unilateral ceasefire he announced in Ukraine on Friday and Saturday. Moscow is threatening Kiev with a devastating attack on the city center if Ukrainian drones do not cease operations at this time.
Zelensky surprises Putin with his own tricks
However, Zelensky knows Putin's tricks. The truce will begin on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, announced the president of Ukraine, forcing Moscow to act. If Russia violates the ceasefire announced by Kiev, Ukrainian drone specialists could attack on Saturday.
Ukraine has proven that it can bypass Russian air defenses and attack Moscow. However, Ukrainian military experts such as political scientist and military officer Andriy Tkatchuk are calling for strategic foresight. Tkatchuk writes on the Telegram platform that instead of attacking Moscow, Ukraine should strike those military targets in regions that have been exposed by the withdrawal of air defense.
Putin is afraid. So much so that he apparently even wants to temporarily turn off mobile internet in central Moscow. The fact that the Kremlin's ruler no longer trusts his own air defense capabilities and is abandoning his parade shows how serious Russia's situation is.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
