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Russia Strips Its Frontline Units to Fill Ranks for Victory Day Parade in Moscow
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Russia is reportedly withdrawing combat-capable soldiers from active frontline positions to prepare for the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, affecting unit effectiveness on key sectors of the front.
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According to the partisan movement Atesh, which published its findings via Telegram on May 5, Russian command has begun removing experienced personnel from units operating on the Kostiantynivka axis, including elements of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment. The group states that these troops are being redeployed to the rear for parade rehearsals and preparations in Moscow.
Atesh agents report that frontline positions are increasingly being held by less experienced personnel, including newly mobilized soldiers, those deemed partially fit for service, and wounded troops. “Agents of Atesh report that on the Kostiantynivka direction… combat-ready servicemen are being massively withdrawn from the front,” the group said.
The same source indicates that this rotation has disrupted defensive cohesion in affected sectors. According to Atesh, “the front is being held by a ‘reserve’ of those barely capable of fighting, which leads to complete chaos in defense.”
The reported personnel shortages have also impacted Russian battlefield tactics. Atesh claims that units are increasingly relying on numerical assaults rather than coordinated operations due to a lack of trained soldiers.
“They throw crowds of unprepared soldiers into attacks to somehow compensate for the lack of professionals,” the group said, adding that casualty numbers—referred to as “200” (killed) and “300” (wounded)—have risen sharply.
The movement further reports declining morale among Russian troops remaining on the front line, with soldiers allegedly criticizing command decisions and linking the situation to prioritization of ceremonial events in Moscow.
Victory Day on May 9 remains a central symbolic event for the Russian leadership, traditionally marked by a large-scale military parade on Red Square. Preparations typically involve extended rehearsals, which can require the temporary redeployment of personnel and equipment from operational units.
Russia will hold its May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow without its traditional display of tanks and armored vehicles, marking the first such absence since the start of its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the event on Red Square will feature only marching units, while footage of combat operations in Ukraine will be shown instead of a mechanized column.
Earlier, several Russian regions scaled back or canceled Victory Day parades scheduled for May 9 over security concerns linked to potential Ukrainian drone strikes. Authorities in cities including Samara, Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, and Saint Petersburg either halted preparations or shifted events to limited or online formats, citing “security challenges.” The changes come as Ukraine expands its long-range strike capabilities deeper into Russian territory.
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