Security concerns have forced the Russian authorities to cancel the traditional procession of the “Regiment of the Immortals”, which takes place annually on May 9 during the celebration of the victory in the Second World War, Moscow news agencies reported with reference to Reuters.

Vladimir Putin in the middle of the “Regiment of the Immortals”Photo: Oleksandr Zemlanychenko / AP – The Associated Press / Profimedia

The so-called “Immortal Regiment”, effectively a march during which Russians carry with them portraits of relatives who fought in World War II, has since 2012 become a main component of the May 9 celebrations, a national holiday in which Russia commemorates 27 million of Soviet citizens who died during the Great Patriotic War.

A lawmaker from Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, Olena Tsunayeva, said on Tuesday that the decision to cancel the marches was made because several regions, including Crimea, refused them “because of the threat”.

She did not specify what the threat was, but for months Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out numerous attacks on Russian soil against civilians, without providing any convincing evidence.

Last week, the Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea announced the cancellation of the May 1 and May 9 parades due to security concerns.

Last year, Vladimir Putin personally attended the “Immortals” march.

The cancellation of Immortal Regiment is another image blow for the Kremlin as it tries to continue to reassure Russians that their daily lives are not affected by a “special military operation,” a propaganda line that has since become increasingly difficult to sell. Decree on “partial” mobilization on September 21, 2022.

At last year’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Putin joined tens of thousands of Russians who marched down Tverskaya Street, Moscow’s main boulevard, to Red Square in the Regiment of the Immortals.

Then Putin carried a portrait of his father.

Parliamentarian Tsunayeva said on Tuesday that this year, people are invited to put photos of their relatives who fought in the war on their clothes, cars or post them online.

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