Under siege, Russia cuts military parade and internet
Russia has significantly scaled back its annual May 9 Victory Day military parade, excluding ground forces and limiting participation to aircraft, reflecting both military strain from the ongoing war in Ukraine and fears of domestic unrest. Ukrainian drone attacks have inflicted major damage on Russian military assets, including a 2025 strike that reportedly destroyed 20% of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, forcing a reevaluation of public military displays. The Kremlin has also imposed internet and communication restrictions, citing security concerns, but these moves are seen as efforts to suppress dissent and prevent opposition organizing.
- ▪This year's Victory Day parade excluded all ground forces, featuring only aircraft.
- ▪A 2025 Ukrainian drone attack destroyed approximately 20% of Russia’s strategic bomber force.
- ▪Russia has restricted access to encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram and limited mobile internet during the parade.
- ▪The 2023 and 2024 parades were already scaled down, with minimal equipment and flyovers.
- ▪Putin has increasingly appointed officials based on family ties to consolidate power within the Kremlin.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
To borrow a great line from the movie Under Siege 2, “Assumption is the mother of all f*** ups.” Russian President Vladimir Putin assumed that launching the war on Ukraine in February 2022 would lead to a rapid and decisive Russian victory. He was wrong. Recommended Stories No to a Spirit Airlines bailout Nun attacked in Jerusalem in ‘disturbing rise in Christianophobia.’ Where’s media coverage Trump drops a narco-trafficking nuclear bomb into Mexican politics As Russia fails to make substantive progress in that war more than four years later, Putin is adopting an escalating siege mentality. This reflects both the Kremlin’s fear of Ukraine and of growing domestic discontent. Consider that this year’s iteration of the annual May 9 Victory Day military parade will involve no ground forces.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Washington Examiner.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Washington Examiner
