9 May parade Russia held without single tank featured one thing Moscow has never shown before

North Korean troops took part in the military parade on Red Square in Moscow for the first time on 9 May. They marched as a separate column, becoming one of the most notable signals of this year’s event, according to Astra. 

Their participation was officially announced during the parade broadcast, where the announcer stated: “On Red Square, the parade formation of the Korean People’s Army is led by Senior Colonel Choe Un Un.”

It was also stated that “fighters of the Korean People’s Army, shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, made a significant contribution to the liberation of Kursk Oblast from ‘neo-Nazi invaders.’”

North Korea on Red Square as political signal of new military alignments

The D​PRK units' appearance in Moscow was a demonstrative move that publicly reinforced the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Analytically, this is seen as an indication of emerging alternative military-political ties outside the Western security system. Such cooperation also provides Russia with additional channels for potential access to weapons and resources.

The participation of foreign combat units in symbolic state events in Russia reinforces the narrative of a coalition-like dimension to the war against Ukraine.

Shortened parade without military hardware

According to The Moscow Times, this year’s parade in Moscow lasted about 45 minutes, making it one of the shortest in recent years. By comparison, previous parades ranged from 47 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Also, for the first time in 19 years, the parade was held without a display of military hardware on Red Square.

Instead, the broadcast featured drone footage and elements of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, including the submarines Arkhangelsk and Knyaz Vladimir.