In contrast, this year’s scaled down event took place in a nondescript courtyard with no warships whatsoever in sight due to concerns over possible Ukrainian drone strikes. For a man who has long sought to reassert Russia’s military superpower status, it was a humbling moment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took full advantage of Putin’s evident discomfort, issuing a spoof presidential decree permitting the parade to proceed. Ukrainian drone units have also proved highly adept at exploiting the limitations of Putin’s air defense network. Ukrainian drone strikes alone cannot defeat Russia, but Kyiv’s bombing campaign is already redefining perceptions of the war.