Kathrine Frich
The annual Victory Day parade is traditionally a symbol of Russia’s armed forces and national pride.
It has long been a showcase of military strength, with tanks, troops and weapons on full display.
Now, changing circumstances are forcing a shift away from that familiar spectacle.
Parades cancelled
Several Russian regions are scaling back or cancelling May 9 parades due to fears of potential Ukrainian attacks.
According to reports cited by WP, the town of Mirny in Arkhangelsk Oblast has already called off its event. The town, established to support a strategic missile base, is located near the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
The site was reportedly targeted by Ukrainian drones in March, although Russian officials said the attack was repelled.
Growing concerns
Authorities are also considering cancelling celebrations in Murmansk, the largest city above the Arctic Circle.
Regional officials have warned that threats are increasing as Ukraine demonstrates the ability to strike targets far from the front line.
Both Mirny and Murmansk are located more than 1,500 kilometres from Ukraine, yet have still been linked to drone activity.
War reaches deep
Previous Ukrainian operations have targeted military infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
Reports have pointed to attacks on air bases, including one near Murmansk, where bombers were said to be damaged or destroyed.
Other sites, such as Severomorsk, home to the Northern Fleet, have also reportedly been affected.
Strain on forces
Beyond security risks, the war effort itself is limiting the scale of celebrations.
Large numbers of troops remain deployed in Ukraine, reducing the availability of personnel for parade preparations.
Military equipment has also been redirected to the front, leaving fewer resources for public displays.
These factors have already affected past events. Last year, Russia cancelled its Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg and reduced the main Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Even during a major anniversary marking the end of World War II, the scale of celebrations was noticeably smaller.
Sources: WP Kreator, regional reports
