Putin humiliated as cities cancel Victory Day events en masse after Ukraine drone attacks

 

In the lead-up to the public holiday, multiple Russian cities, including Moscow, have been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes. These attacks have led to widespread cancellations of Victory Day celebrations, marking a significant symbolic setback for President Vladimir Putin.

This year’s commemorations once again unfold under the shadow of the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russian forces have endured devastating losses. Independent Russian media outlet Verstka reports that the continued aerial assaults have forced authorities across the country to call off many of the events originally planned for the holiday.

Parades and concerts have been cancelled in the Moscow region and in several provinces, including Vladimir, Lipetsk, Vologda, and Mordovia. In Yegoryevsk, just outside Moscow, a memorial service honoring fallen soldiers was moved from a cemetery to a church due to security concerns. Meanwhile, in Ramenskoye, a local music school announced the cancellation of its May 8 performance. Evening concerts in Pavlovsky Posad, another town in the Moscow region, have also been scrapped.

The most recent wave of drone attacks occurred on Wednesday, triggering temporary airport closures across the country. The disruption caused travel chaos, affecting an estimated 60,000 passengers through roughly 350 flight delays and cancellations.

Russia is preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany on Friday, May 9. President Putin will be joined by 29 world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a military parade on Red Square in Moscow.

Victory Day is one of Russia’s most significant national holidays, commemorated with parades and ceremonies in cities and towns nationwide. It serves as a solemn reminder of the immense sacrifices made by Soviet soldiers during World War II, with military casualties estimated at up to 10.7 million. Additionally, the wider Allied forces suffered more than one million combined killed, wounded, or missing in the fight against Nazi Germany.