Russia’s Immortal Regiment March, due to take place on May 9, 2024, has been cancelled. During the march, family members would usually display photographs of deceased veterans of the Second World War, associated with Victory Day. Instead, portraits may be displayed in cars and public locations between May 1 and 11, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
According to Meduza news, Victory Day parades in five russian regions have also been cancelled, with security concerns cited. These include Bryansk, Pskov, Ryazan, Kursk and Belgorod. The regions listed are all in western russia and are therefore likely vulnerable to Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes. In the run up to last year’s Victory Day parade, there was a UAV attack on the Kremlin.
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This is the second year in a row that the Immortal Regiment March has been cancelled and Victory parades curtailed on security grounds. This year, President Putin’s inauguration precedes Victory Day, taking place on May 7. The potential for protests and discontent over the Ukraine war are also likely to have influenced the calculus of the russian leadership.
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