Russia Parades Combat Drones Used Against Ukraine at 2025 Victory Day Parade

Russia celebrated Victory Day on May 9, 2025, to celebrate 80 years of its World War II victory with a large military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. Russia featured combat drones that are actually being employed in the war in Ukraine for the first time.

President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were present at the event, along with more than two dozen foreign leaders. The drones such as the Lancet, Geran-2, Orlan-10, and Orlan-30 dominated the headlines, marking Russia’s changing approach to war and reflecting its increasing emphasis on contemporary warfare.

Drones Steal the Limelight

The drone showcase was a dramatic change in Russia’s military spectacle. The Lancet drone, a loitering munition, serves two purposes. It attacks targets and gathers intelligence. It is reported to have destroyed Ukrainian tanks and even a military aircraft.

Next came the Geran-2. It’s a Russian-made kamikaze drone, based on an older Iranian model. Russia uses it to strike Ukraine’s energy sites. Kyiv accuses Moscow of hitting residential buildings too.

Then, the Orlan-10 and Orlan-30 drones followed. These are primarily used for spotting enemy positions and selecting targets. They’ve become key tools in Russia’s real-time battlefield strategy.

Sending a Strategic Signal

Russia took the parade as an opportunity to show its military might and technological development. By parading the drones, it underscored how much the Ukraine conflict now depends on high-tech equipment. This was not only for domestic viewers. The event was intended to demonstrate to the world that Russia is still a force to be reckoned with.

Xi Jinping’s presence was no accident. It indicated increasing Russia-China relations. As opposed to increasing isolation from the West, Russia sought to demonstrate that it still has international allies.

Global Divide on Full Display

While Moscow was partying with tanks and drones, Western nations did it differently. They marked Victory Day in a subdued manner. In Lviv, Ukraine, some European leaders met to demonstrate solidarity with Kyiv. They also talked of fresh sanctions on Moscow.

These simultaneous events indicated the stark cleavages of the current global order. One side, a display of military might. The other, voices of restraint and peace.

The 2025 Victory Day Parade was not just a historical commemoration. It was an unmistakable message. Russia employed it to commemorate its past and demonstrate future strength. With drones in the limelight and allies at its side, Moscow sent a message: it intends to dictate the battlefield and world politics on its own terms.