Red Square decorated for Victory Day in Russia (Photo: Tass).
The independent media outlet Vyorstka reported on May 4 that the decision to cancel the parade was made after a series of drone attacks on these areas, especially the recent UAV attack on the Kremlin.
These are mostly Russian cities bordering Ukraine. Further afield, May 9 parades have also been canceled in the Siberian regions of Tyumen, Nizhnevartovsk, Surgut, as well as the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region.
Security concerns have been reported in at least eight cities, including Tyumen.
The northwestern cities of Pskov and Velikiye Luki near the Estonian border cited moral reasons for canceling the celebrations, saying the sound of fireworks could psychologically affect hospitalized soldiers.
The Belgorod and Kursk regions in western Russia, as well as the Crimean peninsula, were the first to cancel the Victory Day parade, announcing the decision last month.
This year, authorities sealed off Red Square two weeks before the parade, an unprecedented move.
Authorities in Moscow, St. Petersburg and surrounding areas also imposed no-fly zones this week amid drone attacks that Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the Kremlin as well as transport and energy infrastructure. Ukraine has denied any role in the attacks.
Russia celebrates Victory Day every year on May 9 with parades in many cities, including a large-scale military parade on Red Square attended by President Vladimir Putin.
This year, the holiday comes as Ukraine is expected to launch a counterattack to push back Russia.
On May 3, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that the parades are expected to be held in 28 cities, with the participation of more than 55,000 people and about 1,200 units and weapons systems.
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