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Russia Cancels Victory Day Parade in Occupied Crimea Over Safety Concerns

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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Russia Cancels Victory Day Parade in Occupied Crimea Over Safety Concerns
Servicemen salute as their military vehicles move along a street during the Victory Day military parade in Sevastopol, Crimea, on May 9, 2021. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia has canceled this year's Victory Day parade in the occupied Crimean port city of Sevastopol, Russian state-controlled media reported on May 5.

Russian installed Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev stated that the parade, which was scheduled for May 9 to commemorate the Soviet victory in World War II, would not take place due to safety concerns.

He said that the decision had been coordinated with the Russian Ministry of Defense. The schedule for all May 9 events would be provided to the organizers, but would not be published "for obvious reasons."

"The decision and position on this matter have been coordinated with the Russian Ministry of Defense," Razvozhayev said during a meeting. He also confirmed that the Immortal Regiment  march would be held online.

The occupying authorities plan to hold flower-laying ceremonies and festive concerts across all municipalities.

Since 2023, Russian occupying forces have refrained from holding military parades in Sevastopol on May 9, citing "safety reasons."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 3 that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials attending Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. He warned that Russia could stage provocations, including "arsons, explosions, or other actions," and attempt to blame Ukraine for them.

The entire Crimean Peninsula holds strategic value for Russia, offering a key military foothold in the Black Sea, which is central to projecting power in the region. Since Russia's 2014 attempted annexation, Crimea’s military significance has only increased.

The Soviet Union officially accepted Germany's surrender late on May 8, 1945, but it was already May 9 in Moscow, which is why Russia observes the day on the 9th. The event has become a symbol of Russia’s military pride and is used to assert its dominance.

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The Immortal Regiment is a public event held annually on Victory Day (May 9) in Russia and other countries to honor the memory of those who fought in World War II (the Great Patriotic War in Russia). Participants, many of whom are descendants of war veterans, march with photographs of their relatives who served in the war.