Kremlin Scales Back Victory Day Celebrations Amid Ukraine Conflict

Victory Day celebrations in Russia have been scaled back due to security concerns amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. The national Immortal Regiment parade has been cancelled, and parades and public gatherings across the country have been called off. The Kremlin's efforts to inflate Russian military might have run up against its need to conceal the enormous costs in lives and equipment that Russia has paid since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The glorification of Soviet sacrifices in defeating Germany has been a cornerstone of Russia's nationalist resurgence during Putin's decades in power.