Putin Scraps Victory Day Parades Over Drone Fears

HOBBLED Vladimir Putin has cancelled showy Victory Day parades across Russia and occupied Ukraine because he cannot guarantee security from enemy drones.

- Mark Reynolds

The military showcases on May 9 are a sacred day in the nation's calendar - led by a giant military show of strength on Red Square.

That will go ahead, with Putin, 71, below, said to be overseeing security himself. Last year's Moscow parade was scaled back to just 50 military vehicles - a quarter of its previous size - and no traditional flypast.

But this year's regional parades and fireworks, including in occupied regions of Ukraine like Sevastopol and Zaporizhzhia, have been scrapped.