Traditionally, more than 10,000 troops and about 200 army vehicles participate in the large parade. Russia always uses the parade to flex its muscles and show what it has to offer militarily.
This year, however, it was a bit more limited in terms of military vehicles. For example, only one tank was present: according to the blog Oryx – which keeps track of the deployment of Russian weapons – a T-34/85, a medium-heavy tank of which just under 50,000 were produced in Russia in the period between 1943 and 1956.
Analysts from the US research agency CNA (National Security Analysis) counted a total of just 47 military vehicles and noted that they were filmed in such a way “to hide the lack of vehicles”.
Last year there were also fewer military vehicles than expected, but still just over a hundred. After all, a large part of the military equipment is located at the front in Ukraine.
Like last year, there was no aerial parade during the May 9 parade, although the weather was clear. Normally that part is only deleted if the weather does not allow it. Observers didn’t really count on it this year because of the security risks it would entail.