The Victory Day Parade 2025 in Moscow and St. Petersburg: How to Attend, Where to Watch, Equipment and Schedule
The Victory Day Parade in Moscow is arguably the highlight of the annual celebration on May 9. It takes place, just like the historic parade of 1945, on Red Square. In 2025, the parade will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and promises to be even more majestic than usual, marking this significant milestone. The event is set to begin at 10:00 AM, although the formation of the marching units and military equipment will commence much earlier. According to the street closure schedule in Moscow, military vehicles will start moving around 5:00 AM to be in place by 8:00 AM.
This year, the traditional route for the columns has changed. Typically, military equipment would gather at the Mnevniki parking lot and proceed along Zvenigorodskoye Highway. However, for 2025, to optimize logistics and reduce traffic impact on the city, the route has been restructured. The temporary location for military vehicles is now in Pechatniki, near the Moskvich plant, where they have been stationed since April 18. From Pechatniki, the columns will move along Shosseyniy Proezd to Volgogradskiy Prospekt, then to Taganskaya Square, before turning onto Sadovoye Koltso towards Prospekt Mira. The parade formation will occur on Tverskaya and Manezhnaya Squares before heading to Red Square.
On the return journey, military equipment will travel along Novy Arbat to Sadovoye Koltso, then back to Taganskaya Square, exiting onto Volgogradskiy Prospekt and returning to Pechatniki. While the detailed program of the parade has not yet been released, it is expected to feature units from all branches of the military, including motorized rifle and tank units, artillery, air defense, engineers, signal corps, Airborne Forces, naval infantry, and special operations forces. Traditionally, the parade formations include students from Suvorov, Nakhimov, cadet, and music schools, with female soldiers also participating.
For the first time in 2024, participants of the special military operation in Ukraine marched in the Victory Parade, and this year, distinguished units from the special military operation, as well as Heroes of Russia, will also be honored in the parade. The historical section of the parade will feature columns equipped in the style of the Great Patriotic War, showcasing firearms and battle flags from renowned units. Besides Russian military personnel, units from 13 countries will participate in the 2025 Victory Day Parade, including China, Belarus, Vietnam, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, and Laos.
The legendary T-34 tank will open the parade, and photographs from rehearsals suggest the presence of T-72B3M tanks with the 'Relikt' module, T-90M, BMP-2M, BMP-3M, BMD-4M, artillery installations 2S44 'Genocide-K', 2S43 'Malva', TOS-2 'Tosochka', the strategic missile system 'Yars', missile systems 'Iskander-M', and air defense systems S-400 and ZRPK 'Pantsir-SMD-E'. Additionally, various drones will be showcased, including the famous 'Geran', 'Lancet', 'Orlan-10', and 'Orlan-30', and possibly UAV detection and neutralization systems 'Rapira-2' and 'Rapira-3'. Captured equipment from the special military operation zone may also be displayed, such as American Abrams, German Leopard 2, International MaxxPro Plus and M113 armored personnel carriers, and the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle.
The aviation segment of the parade will traditionally feature helicopters and planes, with the 'Russian Knights' and 'Swifts' aerobatic teams participating, utilizing Su-30SM, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-25 attack aircraft based at Kubinka and Klin airfields. The parade is expected to last about two hours and will be narrated by Anton Suntsov, a participant in the legendary Evgeny Khoroshevtsev's parade 'voice' for many years.
Access to the parade on Red Square is by invitation only, distributed to veterans, dignitaries, and officials. Ordinary citizens and guests of the capital can watch the movement of military equipment and marching units before they reach Red Square. Digital screens are set up throughout the city, with the largest located in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Gora. The parade will also be broadcast live on federal channels Perviy kanal, Rossiya-1, Pyatiy kanal, and REN TV, as well as on video services RUTUBE, VK, and others.
The anniversary Victory Parade in Moscow is a large-scale event, and the Kremlin has expressed its eagerness to welcome everyone who wishes to come to the capital of Russia to share the joy and pride of victory over fascism with the Russian people. Official authorities anticipate visits from leaders of more than 20 countries. On May 6, 2025, Yuri Ushakov announced the final list of leaders who will attend the Victory Parade, including representatives from Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Vietnam, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Cuba, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, and South Ossetia.
Additionally, several countries will be represented at a high level, including India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and South Africa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had planned to attend the parade in person but was unable to do so due to escalating tensions with Pakistan. North Korea will be represented by its ambassador instead of leader Kim Jong-un, although Ushakov hinted at an 'interesting meeting' journalists will learn about later. Veterans from many countries, including Israel and the USA, have also been invited to the parade, with invitations sent to ambassadors.
The Victory Parade on May 9 also takes place in other major cities across Russia, including St. Petersburg, where it will be held at the Palace Square at the same time as in Moscow. The St. Petersburg parade will feature military personnel from the St. Petersburg garrison, emergency services, and cadets from military schools. A special unit will include participants from the special military operation. For the first time, a parade unit of Cossacks will participate, honoring the Cossack corps that defended the approaches to Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War. The St. Petersburg parade will involve over 5,500 military personnel, and veterans have also been invited, with around 400 invitations sent out.
Access to Palace Square is by invitation only, with seating for about 1,400 and standing room for 1,000. However, spectators can also watch from other viewing areas, including the Alexander Garden and the Palace Embankment. The parade is expected to feature both historical and modern military equipment, including the legendary T-34 tank and the army GAZ-67 light vehicle. While the details of the aviation show remain unclear, it is a staple of the event.
In conclusion, the Victory Day celebrations in 2025 promise to be a significant and memorable event, honoring the sacrifices made during the Great Patriotic War while showcasing the strength and unity of the Russian military.
