Russia cancels World War II commemorative marches over fears of protests against war in Ukraine

Russian sailors at the WWII military parade in Moscow Photo: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

The Kremlin canceled the nationwide World War II that war commemoration marches out of fear would turn into protests over the victims of the war in Ukraine.

It also says that by canceling the Immortal Regiment parades next month, the Kremlin has undermined its own propaganda , which Russian soldiers are again fighting the Nazis in Ukraine.

“The Russian state is struggling to maintain consistency in the main narratives it uses to justify the war in Ukraine,” the Defense Ministry said.

Western intelligence has reported that more than 200,000 Russian soldiers and mercenaries have been killed. or seriously wounded since the Kremlin ordered the invasion on February 24, 2022, but in Russia the casualty figures are ignored or lie.

The defense ministry added that defending this lie was the main reason for canceling the Immortal Regiment parades «.

“In reality, the authorities were most likely concerned that the participants would highlight the scale of Russia’s recent losses,” the message says.

Several Russian cities have also canceled military parades, but the main parade on Red Square is expected to take place. Photo: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlyanichenko

The Immortal Regiment parades have become the centerpiece of the Kremlin's May 9 Victory Day celebrations, as hundreds of thousands of ordinary Russians actively participate.

Encouraged by the Kremlin, people usually march through city centers with portraits of Red Army soldiers. soldiers who fought in World War II against Nazi Germany, as well as photographs of soldiers who died fighting in Afghanistan in the 1980s and in Chechnya in the 1990s.

They often wear old military medals, berets and black -orange ribbons that have become a symbol of support for Russian wars.

The Kremlin usually sees this display of mass support as the culmination of its propaganda year and pushes it forward. Russian PR agencies paid people to take part in the parades, and last year Russian officials also pushed for a parade in the bombed-out, occupied Mariupol.

But on Tuesday, the state-linked organization behind the marches said the parade will be moved online for security reasons.

Several cities in Russia have also canceled military parades scheduled for May 9, although the main parade on Red Square, which will feature Vladimir Putin, is expected to take place.

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