Russia cancels all Victory Day mass events in Crimea "for security reasons"

No military parade or other mass events will be held in Crimea on the 9 May Victory Day. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]

Source: Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed head of temporarily occupied Crimea

Quote: "The holding of a military parade and other mass events marking Victory Day in the Republic of Crimea are not planned this year. A coordinated Immortal Regiment march will also not take place. This decision by the authorities has been dictated by security considerations."

Background:

• On 4 May, Russia's Ministry of Defence unilaterally declared a "truce" for 8 and 9 May and warned that if the Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May is "disrupted", it will launch a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv.
• In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is introducing a ceasefire starting from 00:00 on the night of 5-6 May.
• For the first time in many years, the Victory Day parade in Moscow will take place without military equipment due to the "current situation".

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