Russia's traditional Victory Day "Immortal Regiment" parade in Moscow cancelled

A key event in Russia's annual 9 May Victory Day commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II will not take place this year in Moscow, report Russian media.

The "Immortal Regiment" parade, in which ordinary Russians throughout the country parade through town and city streets holding photos of relatives who were killed during the Second World War has become a staple of Victory Day celebrations under Vladimir Putin's rule.

The event in its modern form originated in Tomsk, Siberia, in 2012, and has since grown to be conducted nationally, as well as having been conducted in many cities around the world.

The co-chairman of the Immortal Regiment of Russia movement, State Duma deputy Elena Tsunaeva, told RIA Novosti that the organisers of the parade had not filed for a permit in Moscow, saying that "in connection with security, it was decided to use the most diverse formats of the Immortal Regiment march".

Instead, according the Tsunaeva, organisers have called on Russians to enter details of relatives killed during the Second World War into an online database, and to glue their photos inside car windows and on clothes.

Victory Day celebrations cancelled across Russia

The announcement of the cancellation of the actual "Immortal Regiment" parade in Moscow comes after a string of similar Victory Day celebration cancellations in other regions of Russia.

Scheduled parades have been called off in the Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts bordering Ukraine, officially due to security concerns. Parades in occupied Crimea have also reportedly been scrapped.

Commentators are however speculating that Russia is running short of tanks and is nervous to reveal the scale of losses suffered in its botched full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: The Moscow Times

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Close race in Presidential election that may determine Poland’s future direction

Close race in Presidential election that may determine Poland’s future direction

Poland’s presidential election has come down to an ideological choice between a liberal pro-European versus a nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday 1st June. The contest has international implications with US President Donald Trump throwing his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, dangling the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Close race in Presidential election that may determine Poland’s future direction

Close race in Presidential election that may determine Poland’s future direction

Poland’s presidential election has come down to an ideological choice between a liberal pro-European versus a nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday 1st June. The contest has international implications with US President Donald Trump throwing his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, dangling the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.