Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea have cancelled key Victory Day celebrations, citing security concerns as Ukrainian drone and special operations activity intensifies across the peninsula and wider occupied territories.
Sergey Aksyonov, head of the Russian occupation administration in Crimea, said there would be no military parade or large-scale public commemorations this year, including the traditional “Immortal Regiment” march.
In a post on Telegram, Aksyonov said the decision was taken on “security considerations”, without directly referencing Ukraine or the ongoing wave of drone attacks. He added that alternative commemorations would still take place in smaller, decentralised formats to honour veterans and those killed in the Second World War.
The scaling back of events marks a significant departure from the Kremlin’s usual May 9 Victory Day display, which typically showcases military strength and reinforces state narratives about Russia’s wartime identity and historical victory over Nazi Germany.
Across Crimea, local occupation officials have also acknowledged heightened security pressures. Mikhail Razvozhaev, head of the Russian-installed administration in Sevastopol, said city services were continuing routine preparations, such as cleaning war memorials, planting flowers, and decorating public spaces, but under increased operational constraints.
The changes come amid sustained Ukrainian strikes on Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea, including air bases, naval facilities and logistics sites. Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone operations in recent weeks, targeting both the peninsula and military assets inside Russia.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), said it had conducted a series of special operations under its “Ghosts” unit, releasing footage it claims shows strikes on Russian military targets in Crimea.
According to the agency, the attacks hit a Be-12 maritime patrol aircraft, multiple Project 05060 boats, a support vessel and infrastructure used for storing assault craft. The claims have not been independently verified.
The escalation has increased pressure on Russian occupation authorities, who have repeatedly reported air raid alerts across Crimea in recent weeks. Officials have attributed the alerts to the growing threat posed by Ukrainian drones operating at extended range.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has already indicated that this year’s central Victory Day parade in Moscow will be adjusted, with some traditional elements scaled back due to what it described as the “current operational situation”.
The changes highlight the shifting security environment facing Russia as the war enters its third year, with Ukrainian forces increasingly able to strike beyond the front line into symbolic and strategic rear areas.
Victory Day has long been one of the most important dates in the Russian calendar, combining military display with historical commemoration. Any reduction in visibility or scale is likely to be viewed as politically sensitive within the Kremlin, even if officially framed as a temporary security adjustment.
For now, Crimea’s celebrations will proceed in a reduced and dispersed format — a notable contrast to the large-scale displays of previous years, and a reflection of the growing reach of the conflict beyond the battlefield itself.
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