Several Russian cities have announced they will scale back this year’s Victory Day celebrations. Russian authorities have cited security reasons and attacks from pro-Ukrainian forces for the changes. Explosions and fires have occurred in Russia in recent weeks. Great pomp and shows of military might are the usual hallmarks of Victory Day, which marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany on 9 May 1945. Some have argued that the reduced events show the Kremlin is nervous about celebrations turning into shows of dissent against its invasion of Ukraine. Last year, President Vladimir Putin led the procession across Red Square in Moscow while holding a photograph of his father in uniform.