Russian residents are currently living in fear that Ukraine could launch an attack on their capital during a parade in just days.

The celebration is set to begin at 9:55am, Moscow Standard Time, with the arrival of the President and Prime Minister of Russia

The pair will greet the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, service commanders and deputy ministers in the Ministry of Defence, together with veterans and their families.

It is promised that it will be one of the most extensive displays of ground combat vehicles in recent years, with more than 210 vehicles and 3,800 vehicle crews, along with modern military hardware of the Armed Forces and the National Guard.

There will additionally be an estimated 14,000 military personnel, including a regiment of female cadets and youth cadets, assembled by battalions on the square together with the Massed Bands of around 1,100 bandsmen.

Among world leaders expected to attend is China’s President Xi Jinping and the Russian president previously stated in March that there is an agreement for a Myanmar military unit to join Russian troops in the ceremonial parade.

But the Kremlin now fears Kyiv may strike an attack, making this year's Moscow military parade the fourth time it will not have high-level guests in attendance.

With unprecedented security measures, it is not guaranteed that foreign officials planning to attend will be safe, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president commented,“Our position is very simple for all countries travelling to Russia on 9 May: we cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation.”

“They are responsible for your safety. We will not provide any guarantees, because we do not know what Russia might do on those dates.”

Slovakia's Moscow-friendly Prime Minister, Robert Fico, criticised Zelenskyy’s warning."I reject such threats for security reasons," Fico said on Monday. "If Mr Zelenskyy believes that his statements will force foreign delegations not to come, then he is deeply mistaken."

For Moscow, 9 May under Putin has become one of the most important public holidays and a grand demonstration of Russia’s military power. The Russian president has used the national significance of the day to promote the idea of a heroic victory against fascism - with a show of Russia's military strength and hardware

Losing more than any other country in the conflict, the Soviet Union lost around 27 million citizens during the war.

The parade has become even more symbolic since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, as the Kremlin has been using the imagery and narratives of World War II to describe and back its all-out invasion, such as slogans and symbols like "We can do it again" or "We can repeat it."

Additionally, a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine was proposed by the Russian President, between the 7th and 9th of May- around the Victory Day celebration.

Kyiv dismissed the idea, with Zelenskyy calling it a "theatrical performance" designed to ease Russia’s international isolation and create a favourable atmosphere for the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

As the two nations go head to head, tensions and safety risks arise for Russia's approaching, biggest parade.