WSJ: Ukraine Is Turning The Tide Of War

• 11.05.2026, 7:33

There's an important sign of WSU's success.

The May 9 parade is traditionally used by the Kremlin as a demonstration of Russia's military might, but this year's event in Moscow was noticeably more modest. As The Wall Street Journal notes, there were far fewer missile systems and other military hardware on Red Square than in previous years.

The publication suggests that if Vladimir Putin was indeed wary of possible attacks by Ukrainian long-range drones, this could indicate a change unfavorable to Russia amid the protracted war.

The Institute for the Study of War previously reported that Russian forces are performing weaker on the frontline in the spring of 2026 compared to last year. Analysts estimate that Ukraine was able to regain more territory in April than it lost.

In addition, Ukrainian forces are increasingly striking strategic targets deep inside Russian territory, including oil infrastructure, weapons depots and other military targets.

The WSJ said this may explain the Kremlin's reluctance to show off much of its military capabilities at the parade.

Although Putin earlier said that the war is allegedly coming to an end, the publication emphasizes that this can be said only when the strikes on Ukrainian cities stop and Moscow gives up its demands to hand over the territories it failed to seize militarily.

The authors of the article believe that only the prospect of serious losses and the risk of defeat can make the Russian leadership abandon its ambitions for Ukraine and Europe, which could be a condition for ending the conflict on terms acceptable to Kiev.