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Ukrainian drones are increasingly striking targets deep within Russia, including Moscow, creating new risks for the Victory Day parade, Forbes reports. The May 9th parade is traditionally a central event for the Russian authorities, a demonstration of strength and stability. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that this year's parade may be held without military equipment, an unprecedented move. Former US Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges emphasized, "Ukraine consistently exceeds expectations despite enormous challenges." According to him, the drone war demonstrates Kyiv's ability to carry out military operations deep into
Russian territory. Despite a powerful air defense system, including the S-400 and Pantsir, Ukrainian drones were able to penetrate several layers of defense. Analyst Clement Moulin noted, "The Ukrainian drone program is at an advanced stage." He estimates that more than 400 long-range strikes were recorded in April 2026 alone. Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, emphasized that Ukraine's attacks are becoming more organized. He said the strikes are becoming more frequent and better planned and are also using data on Russian air defense deployments.
Analyst Andrew Perpetua added, "Ukraine's strategy against Russian air defenses has always been aimed at inflicting damage over a very long period of time. Strikes against targets near the Kremlin indicate that war is no longer far away for the Russian elite." Political scientist Taras Kuzio stated that Russia brought this about itself by violating all ceasefire agreements since 2014. Experts believe the strikes are having a significant political impact. Political scientist Alexander Motyl noted that Russia is already in decline, and defeat in the war could accelerate the crisis. At the same time, McGill University
associate professor Maria Popova emphasized, "For years, Russia has relied on the idea of its military might, but that narrative is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain." She added that even a partial disruption of the parade could have a disproportionately large effect on the Kremlin's image. According to experts, the very fact of increased security and the possible shortening of the parade already increases its significance. "If Ukraine manages to seize the moment, the impression that Russia is losing the war could spread far beyond the country's borders," Popova noted. As reported, large-scale mobile internet shutdowns have begun in Moscow and other major Russian cities. Local authorities
explained to the public that this is being done for security reasons during Victory Day celebrations. Russian media previously reported that operators were sending out messages to residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg about temporary restrictions on mobile internet and media services. This situation is expected to last from May 5th to 9th.
