“They Fear Drones Over Red Square”: Zelenskyy on Russia’s May 9 Victory Day Parade

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fears the possibility of drones appearing over Moscow during Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade, in remarks that underscore rising tensions ahead of one of the country’s most symbolic events.

Speaking at the opening of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan on April 4, Zelenskyy suggested that this year’s parade may look different from previous ones, particularly in terms of military hardware on display.

“Russia has announced a parade on May 9, but there will be no military equipment at that parade. This would be the first time in many, many years, if that is indeed the case, that they cannot afford to have weapons present at the parade. And they fear drones may buzz over the Red Square,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that such developments indicate that Russia’s military is no longer as strong as it once was.

Zelenskyy also pointed to the coming months as a potentially decisive period for the course of the war.

“This summer will be the moment when Putin will decide what to do next—to expand this war or move toward diplomatic solutions. And we must push him toward diplomacy,” he said.

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War in Ukraine

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The Russian leader himself 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 states 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.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russia will hold its annual May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow without the traditional display of armored vehicles, marking a notable departure from past celebrations.

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