Russia in No Mood for Celebration on Kremlin’s Biggest Day of the Year

Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, marking the Soviet victory in World War II, are marred by war-related challenges. The economy is under pressure from rising costs tied to the conflict in Ukraine, while new internet restrictions—including blackouts in Moscow and St. Petersburg—have intensified. Security concerns have forced the Kremlin to scale back the Red Square parade, with President Vladimir V. Putin facing heightened risks of Ukrainian drone strikes. Ukraine’s attacks have extended deep into Russian territory, targeting oil facilities in Perm, Tuapse, and Yaroslavl, where a recent strike caused ecological damage. Moscow’s mayor, Sergei S. Sobyanin, reported 26 drones were shot down over the city, though verification remains difficult. The Kremlin’s failed cease-fire plea underscores the stalemate, as polls show growing Russian public fatigue with the four-year war. Victory Day holds deep symbolic weight in Russia, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph with an estimated 27 million deaths. Yet the conflict in Ukraine contrasts sharply, with Russia gaining little territory despite over 213,000 reported military deaths. Locals like Svetlana in Tuapse express frustration, describing a cycle of rising taxes, internet blockages, and economic hardship. The Kremlin has restricted media access to the parade, citing ‘terrorist threats’ from Kyiv, while Ukraine’s expanding drone capabilities threaten further disruptions. The event’s diminished scale reflects both the war’s toll and the Kremlin’s struggle to maintain control amid public discontent and military setbacks.