Vladimir Putin has given his backing to the idea of postponing a massive event marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany.
Putin supports postponement of Second World War remembrance event
The Immortal Regiment, a large-scale procession of people carrying photographs of their relatives who died during the war, traditionally takes place in many Russian cities on 9 May, known as Victory Day and the country’s most important national holiday.
The Russian president admitted that “events like this can’t be carried out at any cost”, after organisers suggested that social distancing contradicted the spirit of a procession in which people stand “shoulder to shoulder”.
The parade had already been put back until 26 July, and the organisers suggested putting if off until next year.
As of Monday, Russia had reported more than 777,000 coronavirus cases and more than 12,000 deaths.
