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Moscow Locks Down for May 9 Parade—Internet Cut, Airports Closed, ATMs Fail
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Moscow is preparing for its May 9 Victory Day parade under sweeping security restrictions, with authorities set to shut down mobile internet, disrupt banking services, and halt air traffic across the capital—measures officials say are necessary to protect the event, according to RBC-Ukraine on May 5.
Mobile operators have already warned residents that access to mobile internet and SMS services will be restricted from May 5 through May 9.
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“In order to ensure security measures in Moscow, temporary restrictions on mobile internet and SMS services are possible during the preparation and holding of festive events from May 5 to May 9,” operators said in notifications sent to users.
The most severe disruptions are expected on May 5, 7, and 9, when mobile data services could be fully disabled across the city, including areas within the Moscow Ring Road.
Even limited-access “whitelisted ” websites—typically allowed under Russia’s internet controls—may be unavailable. Residents have been advised to rely on Wi-Fi connections and voice calls via VoLTE where possible.
The restrictions are already affecting everyday services. Many ATMs in Moscow rely on mobile connectivity, and outages have begun to disrupt cash withdrawals, raising concerns about access to money. Taxi services and cashless payment systems have also experienced interruptions.
Air travel has been significantly impacted as well. All major Moscow airports have suspended operations under the so-called “Carpet ” plan, with flights neither arriving nor departing.
The Kremlin itself will be closed to visitors during the celebrations, with access restricted throughout the parade period.
This year’s Victory Day event is also expected to differ from previous ones. For the first time in many years, military hardware will reportedly be absent from the parade, while the list of attending foreign guests remains limited.
Among those expected to visit Moscow are Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, along with representatives from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is also expected to be in Moscow on May 9 and to meet a Russian leader, though he does not plan to attend the parade itself.
In Moscow, for the WWII Victory Day parade (non-parade), Red Square has been cordoned off with military checkpoints all along the route. There are now also Snipers, troops with heavy machine guns and antidrone systems in the towers, as well as deployed in vehicles nearby. pic.twitter.com/PQHk9wJG4E
— raging545 (@raging545) May 4, 2026
The unprecedented security measures highlight growing concerns in Moscow over potential threats during the high-profile event, particularly as drone strikes have increasingly targeted locations deep inside Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced a unilateral ceasefire scheduled for May 8 and 9, 2026. According to the statement from the Kremlin, the pause in hostilities is intended to mark the anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Despite the announcement of a truce, the Russian defense ministry included specific warnings regarding potential military actions. Russian officials stated that any attempts to disrupt their celebrations would result in a massive missile strike targeting the center of Kyiv.
Putin's panic is growing by the hour.
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) May 5, 2026
He needs his parade.
The Russian side even suggested, through unofficial channels, that prisoners be exchanged on the eve of May 9th if Ukraine agreed not to attack the parade in Red Square.
Moscow is in complete chaos: the internet is… pic.twitter.com/0Fdd0qVXve
The Victory Day parades across Russia were canceled or reduced due to concerns over potential Ukrainian drone strikes.
Previously, reports emerged that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been on heightened alert since early March amid fears of a potential coup attempt and drone-based assassination threats from inside the country.
The report state that Putin has significantly altered his security routine, suspending visits to his regular residences in the Moscow region and Valdai. Instead, he is said to be operating primarily from fortified, modernized bunker facilities in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
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