The annual Victory Day parade in Moscow has traditionally been a vast spectacle showcasing Russia’s military might, with state-of-the-art tanks rolling in symmetrical formation over the cobblestones of Red Square becoming an iconic image.

This year, however, much was missing. For the first time in years, only one Soviet-era T-34 tank — a symbol of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany — crossed the square on Tuesday, leading a much shorter-than-usual line of armoured vehicles, air defence systems and intercontinental missile launchers. There were fewer troops marching in carefully choreographed arrangements, and there was no flyover from the air force.

The pared-down parade appeared to reflect Russia’s struggles to equip its troops fighting in Ukraine, especially at a time when Kyiv is making preparations for an expected counteroffensive that would aim to pierce through Moscow’s fortified defensive lines.

It may have also been a response to criticism from some pro-invasion activists and bloggers, who have questioned the necessity of a large-scale symbolic demonstration of military equipment at a time when many Russian military divisions lack necessary weapons and supplies.

Officials across Russia also scaled back annual celebrations of the country’s most important national holiday, with more than 20 cities forgoing military parades and organisers calling off a popular nationwide march to honour veterans.

Security concerns were most often cited for the cancellations, but some analysts also suggested that the unease had as much to do with fears about domestic disturbances.

A year ago, when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was already raging, Red Square was nonetheless humming with the sounds of the engines of advanced tanks, together with rocket launchers and artillery systems that had been used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

This year, though, there were only a few dozen pieces of equipment, and the part of the procession that featured armoured vehicles appeared to be around half as long as it was in 2022.

New York Times News Service