Journalist and military correspondent Alexander Kots believes that this year’s Victory Day parade in Moscow might not have taken place at all because of an unprecedented level of terrorist threat.

According to him, ahead of the holiday, representatives of a number of relevant agencies proposed canceling the traditional ceremony on Red Square. The reason was not only the possible use of long-range drones, but also the risk of hostile agents using FPV drones directly during the celebrations. Kots recalled that such an attempt had recently been prevented in Moscow, and said this was why internet restrictions were introduced in the capital.

The military correspondent noted that the decision to hold the parade was taken personally by the supreme commander-in-chief. At the same time, Kots stressed that this decision was made before Donald Trump’s ceasefire initiative became known.

According to him, the parade format was deliberately changed: it was held without military hardware, without the women’s parade unit and without children. Kots pointed out that Suvorov and Nakhimov cadets had already begun training, but their participation was canceled to avoid putting children’s lives at risk. He also explained that a concentration of military equipment during preparations could have become a convenient target for the enemy.

Kots believes the authorities did not pretend that the threat did not exist. On the contrary, it was openly acknowledged that the scale of the terrorist war against Russia had reached an unprecedented level. In his assessment, this is why the enemy was not given an extra opportunity to spoil the holiday.

At the same time, the military correspondent noted that the absence of some traditional elements was offset by the video format. For the first time, viewers were able to examine in detail the newest Russian weapons, including jet-powered Geran drones, hypersonic Kinzhals, Avangards and Peresvets. Some of these systems have already proven themselves in the special military operation zone. Kots also pointed out that viewers were shown the crews of nuclear submarines on combat duty, as well as greetings from servicemen who are currently defending Russian statehood in the special operation zone.

In Kots’s view, the participation of 1,000 current frontline fighters, among whom there are more and more Heroes of Russia, had special significance. He described it as a tribute to the continuity of generations and military traditions.

The military correspondent also highlighted the participation of allies from North Korea. According to him, last year they made an invaluable contribution to the liberation of the Kursk Region but did not have time to prepare for the anniversary parade. On the 81st anniversary of Victory, North Korean servicemen marched across Red Square’s paving stones together with their Russian comrades-in-arms.

Kots emphasized that the parade ultimately passed without incident. In his opinion, this was not thanks to Trump or the ceasefire, but to those who had ensured the security of the Moscow region in the preceding days, identified disposable Kiev agents and intercepted dozens of UAVs heading toward Moscow.