81st anniversary of the Great Victory: what is happening in Moscow and on Red Square — the latest news today, May 9, 2026

Moscow celebrates Victory Day on May 9, 2026: major celebrations are taking place in the capital, an enhanced security regime is in effect, the city center is closed and transport operations have been changed. Festive events are concentrated on Red Square and key city venues, where participants and guests of the events gather in the morning. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

What is happening in Moscow now: the latest news on May 9th

Today, Victory Day remains one of the most important memorable dates in the country and is annually accompanied by large-scale events. At the federal level, days off are set for May 9th, and solemn ceremonies and cultural programs are held in cities.

The key event is traditionally the military parade on Red Square in Moscow with the participation of thousands of military personnel and modern equipment. Similar events are held in other cities, including hero cities.

On the morning of May 9, 2026, final preparations for the Victory Day celebration are being completed in Moscow. On this day, commemorative ceremonies, festive concerts, thematic exhibitions and other events dedicated to the anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War are traditionally held in the capital.

Which of the foreign leaders came to the Victory Day Parade on May 9th

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico intends to come to Moscow for events dedicated to Victory Day on May 9. This was announced on April 29 by Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. He noted that the participation of the head of the Slovak government has been confirmed, despite the active discussions surrounding the upcoming visit.

Fico himself confirmed plans to visit the Russian capital and hold a meeting with the Russian president, but clarified that he was not going to attend the Victory Day Parade.

"I will lay flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier of the Red Army to thank on behalf of the Slovaks for their release, and I will have a short meeting with President Putin. That's all. I'm not going to a military parade," the SME portal quotes him as saying.

According to the Kremlin's website, the Victory Day Parade in Moscow in 2026 will also be attended.:

President of Abkhazia Badra Gunba;

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko;

President of Laos Thonglong Sisulit;

The Supreme Ruler of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim;

President of South Ossetia Alan Gagloev;

President of Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Sinisha Karan;

Chairman of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandic;

Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Union of Independent Social Democrats of Republika Srpska.

The edge of memory: before May 9, the demand for patriotic paraphernalia increased sharply

But it should be remembered that disrespectful treatment of symbols is punishable, the lawyers noted.

Preparations for the Red Square parade: latest news

On May 5, a rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade took place on Red Square in Moscow. Military personnel of various branches of the armed forces practiced drill, synchronicity of movements and passing parade calculations. On May 7, a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day Parade was held in the Russian capital.

During the preparation and holding of celebrations in the city center, temporary traffic restrictions and changes in the operation of public transport are introduced. Security measures are also being tightened in Moscow, and some streets and embankments are being closed off for festive events.

Weather in Moscow today, May 9, 2026

On May 9, mostly warm May weather remains in Moscow and the Moscow region, although the sky over the capital region remains cloudy. According to forecasters, during the day the air temperature on the holiday rises to +13... +16 degrees, and at night it will drop to +5 ...+6. Precipitation is unlikely during the day, but partly cloudy conditions and increased winds are possible in some places.

Meteorologists note that after a cool start to the month, the weather in Central Russia is gradually stabilizing. Already in the coming weekend, on May 10 and 11, more sun and further warming are expected in Moscow. According to weather services, daytime temperatures may reach +17 degrees, which corresponds to the climatic norm for mid-May.

Experts recommend that residents of the region take into account the variability of the spring weather and take outerwear and umbrellas with them during long walks, especially in the evening, when the air temperature drops noticeably.

Celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in Moscow and the regions. What is known

Street closures in Moscow on May 9: the full list

May 9th in Moscow is taking place under large-scale restrictions imposed due to the Victory Day celebrations. In the center of the capital, the traffic pattern, metro, parking, rental and mobile communication services have been temporarily changed.

A number of key streets and embankments have been closed since early morning. In particular, traffic on Tverskaya, Mokhovaya, Bolshaya Nikitskaya, Petrovka, Okhotny Ryad and Volkhonka streets has been closed since 05:00. Restrictions also apply on Kremlevskaya, Moskvoretskaya, Kotelnicheskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments. Additional closures began to be introduced on May 4 in the afternoon, when traffic was restricted on Varvarka, Ilyinka, Solyanka, Baltschuga and adjacent streets in the city center.

The changes also affected the operation of public transport. During the holidays, a number of metro stations in the center, including Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Revolution Square and Alexandrovsky Sad, operate in a limited mode, mainly for entry and transfer. Additional closures are possible at individual stations during the day. Ground transportation has also changed routes: some buses have been redirected to bypass the main streets, some lines have been shortened or temporarily do not enter the city center.

Significant restrictions have also been introduced for personal mobility devices. Rental and completion of trips on electric scooters and bicycles are not available in the event areas. Carsharing and taxi services also operate with restrictions — travel in some areas is completely closed.

The parking infrastructure in the center of the capital is partially inaccessible. From May 8-9, city parking lots are closed on a number of streets and embankments, including Tverskaya, Petrovka, Volkhonka and Kotelnicheskaya Embankment. Separate parking lots with barriers are also temporarily closed.

Special attention is paid to the work of communication. Mobile Internet and SMS interruptions are possible in Moscow from 5 to 9 May. Telecom operators warn that the restrictions are related to security measures and do not depend on their work. Users are advised to use Wi-Fi and voice communication technologies over the Internet if they have access.

The city services emphasize that all restrictions are temporary and will be gradually lifted after the end of the festive events.