“Victory Day Parades Canceled in 21 Russian Cities: Reasons and Implications”

Victory Day parades have been canceled in at least 21 cities. That writes the Russian independent news site Verstka. On that day, May 9, Russia celebrates its victory in World War II. It is one of the most important Russian holidays, traditionally accompanied by military parades in many cities. Last year they continued despite the war, this year it is different in many places.

The parade has been canceled in eight Russian cities for security reasons. Among those cities is Tyumen, which is about 2,000 kilometers from the front in Ukraine. In two other cities, the parade is canceled because soldiers on leave could be frightened by the fireworks. In Belgorod, the festivities have been canceled ‘so as not to provoke the enemy with a large collection of military equipment and material’.

Elsewhere, the reasons are more obscure. In Kursk, the parade has been canceled “given the current situation”, and in Bryansk the authorities “couldn’t” organize the holiday as wanted, but did not explain why. There were parades in Krasnodar and Sochi last year, but they were not announced this year for unknown reasons.

“>

Parades have also been canceled for security reasons in three cities in Russian-occupied Crimea. The peninsula has been the target of drone attacks several times in recent weeks. Three other cities far from the front have decided not to organize a parade. The mayors say they want to “show solidarity with other parts of the country where festivities have been canceled for security reasons.”

Maarten Alberts