RUSSIA TO CANCEL ANNUAL NAVY DAY PARADE

By Doubra Diafa July 28, 2025

St. Petersburg, Russia For the first time in nearly a decade, Russia has canceled its flagship Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, citing security threats amid ongoing drone attacks and heightened tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

The Kremlin announced the abrupt cancellation just days before the parade, a move that stunned both locals and international observers who have come to view the annual display as a key moment in Russia’s military and patriotic calendar. The event, traditionally held on the last Sunday of July, showcases the strength and modernization of the Russian Navy, drawing large crowds and high-ranking officials — including President Vladimir Putin himself.

This year, however, there was no naval procession along the Neva River. Instead, President Putin addressed naval personnel from aboard the Admiral Gorshkov, a modern Russian frigate, docked in a secured location far from the public eye. His brief remarks praised the heroism and professionalism of Russia’s naval forces and referenced the country’s recent large-scale maritime exercises known as July Storm.

According to Kremlin sources and Russian defense analysts, the decision to call off the parade was primarily driven by increased drone incursions into Russian airspace particularly targeting military installations and naval assets in recent months. Ukrainian drones, reportedly equipped with long-range surveillance and strike capabilities, have reached areas previously considered secure, including the Leningrad region.

Meanwhile, naval exercises continue in the Arctic, Baltic, and Black Sea regions as part of Russia’s broader military posture. The Ministry of Defense released footage of live-fire drills and amphibious landing exercises, likely aimed at reinforcing the message that while the parade may be canceled, Russia’s naval power is far from diminished.