During this year’s Victory Day parade, Russian media showed CGI flights of the Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams, followed by real images of Su-25s drawing the Russian flag in the sky.
Russia’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square this year took an unusual turn as state media broadcasts appeared to replace some of the traditional aerial flyovers with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Compared to previous years, this year’s parade featured only squadrons of the Russian Knights and Swift aerobatic teams and a squadron of Su-25s with the Russian flag painted in the sky.
CGI Su-30 and MiG-29
The controversial footage was broadcast seconds after a diamond formation of five Su-30s and four MiG-29s appeared over Moscow. The live stream then transitioned to an immersive camera view within the formation, moving closely around the aircraft within the formation.
🤖 I’m really embarrassed! The aerial portion of the parade appears to have been generated by AI.
Russian state media showed “aerial footage” during the parade, but users soon noticed something strange. pic.twitter.com/bWcJuqgfv8
– Nexta (@nexta_tv) May 9, 2026
Viewers were quick to point out several anomalies in the video, including unrealistic aircraft movements and graphical inconsistencies. However, one aspect that has sparked debate on social media is the presence of flags of multiple countries on the aircraft, including NATO countries.
But what many people miss is that this flag also exists on the actual Su-30 of the Russian Knights and has its exact meaning. In fact, this flag symbolizes the countries in which aerobatic teams have performed throughout history.
At the end of this video segment, the live stream switched back to the actual aircraft, where six Su-25s were seen both in the air and on the ground, painted in smoke to paint the sky with the Russian flag. This time, as in previous parades, the footage was shot using cameras mounted on aircraft and looked completely real.
It was CGI, not AI. And there were still some useful things in the flight scenes.
🇷🇺 Su-25UB RF-93616 ’33 RED’
🇷🇺 Su-25BM RF-95159 ’74 RED’
🇷🇺 Su-25BM RF-95161 ’76 RED’ (probably)
🇷🇺 Su-25BM RF-91977 ’88 RED’ (probably)These are all from 968 IISAP in Lipetsk. https://t.co/kgSsRwShmb pic.twitter.com/FSY57fddJr
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) May 9, 2026
It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time CGI footage has been aired instead of an actual flypast. A previous example occurred in 2021, when a live stream during a parade switched to a CGI video showing a squadron of Su-57s.
Some critics claimed that the choice to show CGI footage of the Russian Knights and the Swift aerobatic team was because the war was ongoing and resources were scarce. In particular, earlier this year, an armed Su-35 wearing the emblem of the Russian Knights Templar was intercepted by a Norwegian F-35 while escorting a Tu-95MS bomber.
Currently two Norwegian F-35s @NATO The mission identified and tracked two Russian Tu-95 Bear H bombers and two Su-35 Flanker M fighter jets in international airspace over the Barents Sea. This is a routine activity, but it is an important part of monitoring and protecting our region. #Arctic Post pic.twitter.com/irnU1cXGN3
— Norwegian Army | Defense (@Forsvaret_no) February 27, 2026
Many have therefore debated whether the aerobatic team’s aircraft should be used in an operational role due to the level of availability of the Russian Aerospace Forces. However, no additional similar cases have been reported since.
Victory Day 2026
The unusual presentation came during what many observers described as a greatly scaled-down Victory Day parade. Unlike previous versions, the 2026 parade will not include a large procession of tanks and heavy equipment through Red Square, nor an aerial parade of aircraft and helicopters.
The move comes amid growing security concerns and concerns about a possible Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow. Security measures around the event were particularly tight, with reports of anti-drone units being deployed across Moscow and increased military and police presence in the days leading up to the parade.
The risk has been further reduced by a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine brokered by US President Donald Trump. In the end, the parade and celebration proceeded safely.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used the event to reiterate support for what the Kremlin continues to call a “special military operation” in Ukraine. But he also criticized NATO for its support for Ukraine, noting that the conflict was coming to an end.
Putin said he was willing to negotiate with Europe, naming former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred mediator. The peace negotiations mediated by the United States on several occasions so far have failed to achieve their goal of ending the war, so it is unclear how negotiations with Europe will proceed.
