Russian navy parade cancelled for “security reasons”

Russia cancelled a major annual navy parade on Sunday for "security reasons", the Kremlin said, without specifying the threat or concern.

"It has to do with the general situation. Security reasons are of utmost importance," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, quoted by Russian news agencies.

The annual event, held since 2017 in St. Petersburg, typically features ships and submarines showcasing the strength of the Russian Navy.

Local authorities had announced the cancellation of both the naval parade and traditional fireworks display on Friday, without providing an immediate explanation. Navy Day is celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of July.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has personally attended the parade every year, congratulated the navy in a video message. He praised the "courage" and "heroism" of Russian naval personnel participating in the military operation in Ukraine.

Later on Sunday, Putin addressed service members participating in large-scale naval drills, dubbed "July Storm," via videoconference. "We are celebrating the holiday in an atmosphere of work," he said.

According to Putin, these exercises, which began July 23 and conclude Sunday, involve more than 150 ships and over 15,000 troops across the Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.

"Our main task is to ensure Russia's security and resolutely protect the sovereignty of the homeland and its national interests. The Russian Navy plays a large role in this," Putin said from St. Petersburg, according to the Kremlin's press office.

In recent months, Russia has faced daily Ukrainian drone attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defenses shot down about 100 Ukrainian drones overnight Saturday into Sunday.

More than 10 drones were intercepted in the Leningrad region, near St. Petersburg, where one woman was injured, according to regional governor Alexander Drozdenko. This raid also disrupted operations at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport, causing delays for dozens of flights, airport authorities said.