Russia Postpones World War II Victory Day Celebrations
Russia Postpones World War II Victory Day Celebrations
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the military parade marking the victory in World War II in Moscow on May 9, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the postponement of May 9 celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at a security meeting on April 16, Putin said events including a massive military parade in Moscow's Red Square would be postponed until a later date.
"In order for the parade to be held on May 9, the preparations need to begin right now, but the risks associated with the epidemic, whose peak has not been passed yet, are still extremely high and that does not give me the right to start preparations for the parade and other mass events now," the president said.
Events marking Victory Day in other regions of the country were also postponed.
Masked Russian Troops Prepare For Victory Day Parade
1/12Masked Russian servicemen drive armored vehicles along a Yekaterinburg street during Victory Day parade rehearsals on April 14. Parades will be held in Yekaterinburg and Moscow on May 9, but the Russian capital remains under lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
2/12A Russian serviceman wearing a protective mask looks out of a military vehicle during a rehearsal for the annual Victory Day celebrations. The event in Yekaterinburg is expected to feature 13 planes and nine helicopters.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
3/12T-34 battle tanks rumble down a Yekaterinburg street during rehearsals for celebrations that will mark the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. The event is still set to go ahead on May 9 amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Russian officials have admitted that they may need to reschedule the popular Moscow parade to a later date.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
4/12A World War II-era Soviet light armored vehicle takes part. In February, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Red Square parade would feature 15,000 troops and 375 military vehicles and aircraft.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
5/12Boys watch self-propelled howitzers passing by during a rehearsal of a military parade in Yekaterinburg on April 14.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
6/12A Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile system takes part in parade rehearsals.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
7/12The Defense Ministry said soldiers were given regular temperature checks to ensure their safety.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
8/12Russian servicemen drive self-propelled howitzers along a street in Yekaterinburg. Officials are considering holding Victory Day events without veterans, who could be more vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
9/12Servicemen are seen in a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. Victory Day is an important holiday on Russia's calendar, with world leaders invited to Moscow. France's Emmanuel Macron and India's Narendra Modi had promised to attend this year's celebration.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
10/12A soldier looks out of a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that no decision had been made on whether to postpone Victory Day celebrations, but that authorities were considering other "options."
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
12/12T-72B3 battle tanks join the parade preparations. Rehearsals are also scheduled for May 5 and 7 in Yekaterinburg.
Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
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Russia has implemented a partial lockdown across the country until April 30 as coronavirus infections continue to rise.
There have been some 28,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 232 deaths, according to official data.
Critics say the number of infections and deaths is likely much higher.
