In several cities of Russia – Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Voronezh and Sovetsk – the authorities abandoned the festive events and fireworks for the City Day. Local residents demanded to cancel concerts and shows from some heads because of the war in Ukraine.
So, in Sovetsk, Kaliningrad region, City Day was canceled due to the “death of fellow countrymen” at the front, Grigory Sokolovsky, head of the urban district, said on VKontakte. According to him, the decision was discussed with officials, representatives of the deputies, the public and journalists.
“The reason is the tense situation in the war zone and the death of our countrymen who were performing their military duty. After the funeral of one of the participants in the special military operation, which will take place this Thursday, we consider it extremely unethical and unforgivable to sing and dance joyfully in relation to the memory of the fallen and their relatives.”
Sokolovsky also wrote that the lives of servicemen who “defend the interests and integrity of Russia in the fight against the Russophobic collective West” can no longer be returned.
The Governor of the Rostov Region, Vsilij Golubev, also informed the townspeople about the cancellation of the concert and fireworks this year.
It was decided to cancel the usual mass events in Voronezh, Governor Alexander Gusev said.
In Krasnodar, a drone show was canceled, which was supposed to be held in honor of the 229th anniversary of the city, the mayor's office said. Also in the Krasnodar Territory, fireworks and performances by artists were abandoned . The Association of Parents' Committees of the Krasnodar Territory turned to the head of the region, Veniamin Kondratiev, with a request to cancel the show. The letter says that the equipment should be sent to the military, located in the "special operation zone."
In Moscow, the holiday in honor of the 875th anniversary of the city of the city was not canceled. On September 10, despite the military disaster near Kharkov, a festive fireworks display took place in Moscow. It was on that day that the Armed Forces of Ukraine broke through the front near Kharkov and occupied the western part of the city of Kupyansk. The Russian Defense Ministry did not recognize the loss of control over part of the occupied territories, and President Vladimir Putin at that time was completely busy celebrating the 875th anniversary of Moscow, walking around Zaryadye and opening the Ferris wheel at VDNKh.