[53487] Russia cancels parades and cuts off the internet in Moscow ahead of May 9

Exceptional security measures in Russia ahead of Victory Day

Ahead of May 9, 2026, Russian authorities are taking exceptional and stringent security measures. According to reports in PEKHNO and Цензор.НЕТ, authorities have decided to fully cancel military parades in 15 different regions, including the Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, and Bryansk regions. These sources, which present a critical stance against the Kremlin, emphasize the scale of the event cancellations across the country.

Simultaneously, in the capital Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development announced a dramatic decision: a complete shutdown of cellular internet and SMS services during Victory Day. As reported by Радіо Свобода, which is associated with liberal positions critical of Putin, even websites on the "whitelist" will not be available to users. Мілітарний notes that the move is purportedly for "safe celebrations," but commentators see this as evidence of the regime's growing security concerns.

In addition, UA Stream reports that for the first time in 19 years, the parade on Red Square will be held without heavy military vehicles, relying only on infantry columns of cadets and an air flyover. The absence of tanks and heavy equipment, also in St. Petersburg, is interpreted by Ukrainian media outlets as an attempt by Moscow to hide its heavy losses in the war.

It should be noted that while Ukrainian and liberal sources highlight the failure and weakness of the Russian apparatus, extremist reactions have also appeared on social media, dismissing the importance of the reports and demonstrating hostility toward the Ukrainian side, as seen in posts on Zone AP.