On May 9, 2026, a military parade was held on Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
The parade began with the removal of the national flag of Russia and the Victory Banner to the square. Then there was a speech by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
The Head of State congratulated the participants of the parade on Victory Day, "our sacred, bright and most important holiday."
Vladimir Putin, in particular, noted: 
"The great feat of the victorious generation inspires the soldiers performing the tasks of a special military operation today. They are opposing an aggressive force that is being armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes are moving forward.
Alongside the Russian soldiers are workers and designers, engineers, scientists, and inventors. They continue the traditions of their predecessors, relying on modern combat experience, create advanced, unique weapons, and launch their mass production.
But no matter how the techniques and methods of combat change, the main thing remains unchanged: the fate of the country is decided by people: fighters and factory workers, workers of rural enterprises, gunsmiths and military personnel, doctors and teachers, cultural figures and clergymen, volunteers, entrepreneurs, philanthropists. All citizens of Russia!"
The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, A.N. Mordvichev, commanded the parade. The parade was hosted by Russian Defense Minister Alexander Belousov.
Together with the head of the Russian state, Vladimir Putin, the heads of foreign delegations, Russian politicians, veterans and participants of the military action were on the podium during the parade. 
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was among the honored guests at the podium.
The Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia