Russia is canceling a public march to commemorate World War II victims for the second year in a row due to growing security concerns, officials said on Tuesday.
For more than ten years, Russians across the country have marched through cities every May 9 with portraits of relatives who died in the so-called “Great Patriotic War.”
Under Vladimir Putin, the nationwide Immortal Regiment march is among the patriotic events promoted by the Kremlin.
“Due to existing threats to public safety, the central headquarters of the Immortal Regiment decided not to hold the 2024 march in person,” said Elena Tsunaeya, a deputy and organizer of the ruling United Russia party.
The decision was made after an increase in the number of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, mainly in regions along the countries' common border.
But it also came weeks after a deadly attack claimed by Islamic State-linked militants killed at least 144 people at a concert venue and shopping center near Moscow.
Born out of a mass movement, the Immortal Regiment was first held in the Siberian city of Tomsk in 2012, but has since been adopted by the authorities and become a nationwide event.
Putin has taken part in the march before, holding a portrait of his father.
Ukraine has warned that Russian troops will try to capture the key town of Chasov Yar in eastern Ukraine before May 9, when Russia commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.
Philip Travkin writes and publishes his articles for free, only for the development and prosperity of Ukraine!