Moscow (CNN)Next Wednesday marks a major event for Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin will preside over a rescheduled Victory Day parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
And Moscow is reopening just in time for the festivities. The last set of lockdown restrictions on gyms and restaurants will be lifted Monday, a week earlier than originally planned by the mayor and just in time for the big military parade in Red Square. The festivities are all part of the run-up to another big event for Putin: a nationwide vote on amendments to the country’s constitution, scheduled for July 1.
It’s a return to normality for Russians exhausted by lockdown and economic uncertainty. But coronavirus has left a cloud of uncertainty over the festivities, which were postponed amid pandemic fears.
By tradition, World War II veterans occupy the viewing stand next to Putin as thousands of soldiers march across Red Square. But this year, those veterans are quarantined at a health resort outside of Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has asked residents to watch the event on TV, saying attendance will be limited.
And while Moscow is still going ahead with the parade, other cities have curbed their enthusiasm for the celebration amid coronavirus fears.
Over the past two weeks, at least 25 large cities in Russia refused to hold the parade on June 24, according to a CNN tally based on media reports and statements from local administrations.
According to the official list released by the Russian Defense Ministry, only 28 cities will hold the parade, mostly in headquarters of the military districts and “hero cities” of special significance to WWII events. In total, 64,000 people are expected to take part in the celebrations, according to the government’s official website.
Out of these 28 cities, an overwhelming majority is located in regions that are still in stage one out of three of the reopening plan, which means that few restrictions have been lifted and mass gatherings are still banned.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, said Monday that the Kremlin “absolutely understands” the decision made by some governors to limit Victory Day celebrations.
“This is the prerogative of the regional leaders, these are the very special powers that they were given to them against the background of the epidemiological danger,” Peskov said.
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