Vladimir Putin left without tanks at WW2 parade amid fears Ukraine stunt would embarrass Russia

Vladimir Putin oversaw a muted Victory Day parade in Red Square today amid concerns Ukrainian drone strike threats could embarrass Russia.

For the first time since 2008, the annual parade marking the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany proceeded without tanks, missile systems and other heavy weaponry rolling through Moscow's Red Square.

Only a ceremonial flypast of military aircraft accompanied the marching troops.

Kremlin officials attributed the stripped-down format to the "current operational situation", with spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledging that "additional security measures" had been put in place.

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The event, Russia's most significant secular holiday, has traditionally served as a platform for President Putin to demonstrate military might and bolster domestic support for the Ukraine conflict.

This year's celebrations were overshadowed by mockery from Kyiv, with President Volodymyr Zelensky taunting that Russian authorities "fear drones may buzz over Red Square" on May 9.

The Ukrainian leader escalated his trolling by publishing a satirical "decree" purportedly granting Russia permission to hold its parade safely.

The fake document, designed to resemble an official presidential order, listed Red Square's coordinates and declared the area temporarily excluded from plans for the "use of Ukrainian weapons".

The Kremlin sought to dismiss the provocation.

"We don't need anyone's permission to be proud of our Victory Day," Mr Peskov told journalists, calling the mock decree a "silly joke".

However, the heightened security arrangements suggested Moscow was taking Ukraine's drone capabilities seriously.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire intended to prevent disruption during the commemorations, tensions between Moscow and Kyiv remained high.

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Donald Trump announced on Friday that both nations had agreed to a pause in hostilities from Saturday to Monday, coupled with a prisoner exchange, suggesting this could represent the "beginning of the end" of the conflict.

Russia had declared its own unilateral truce covering Friday and Saturday, while Ukraine proposed a separate ceasefire starting May 6.

Both sides accused the other of violating the terms through continued attacks.

Moscow issued stark warnings ahead of the parade, threatening a "massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv" should Ukraine attempt any disruption.

The Russian Defence Ministry urged civilians and foreign diplomatic staff to evacuate the Ukrainian capital promptly.

The EU responded that its diplomats would remain in Kyiv despite these threats.

As troops prepared to march across Red Square, authorities imposed restrictions on mobile internet access and text messaging services throughout Moscow, citing public safety requirements.

Regional Victory Day parades across Russia were similarly affected, with many scaled back or cancelled entirely due to security concerns.

The precautions reflect Ukraine's significantly enhanced strike capabilities since the conflict began.

Kyiv has developed drones capable of hitting targets more than 600 miles inside Russian territory, enabling attacks on energy infrastructure, manufacturing facilities and military supply depots.

The Kremlin has progressively tightened internet censorship and expanded controls over online activity, measures that have prompted growing discontent among the population.

Russia's military continues to make gradual advances along the 600-mile front line, though Ukraine's long-range strikes have inflicted considerable damage behind Russian lines.

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