Strikes on Russia’s rear are disrupting events the Kremlin historically used for reputational and narrative purposes.
Putin / © Associated Press
The main naval parade in Russia may be canceled due to the threat of Ukrainian strikes. This indicates that Ukraine is gradually bringing the war back home to Russia.
This is reported in an ISW assessment.
What is known about the cancellation of events
The Russian Ministry of Defense will likely not hold the annual naval parade in St. Petersburg, dedicated to Navy Day. One of the reasons cited is the increasing threat of Ukrainian long-range strikes. This is reported by a Russian publication, citing sources in the military department.
It is noted that the parade, held since 2017 on the last Sunday of July, may be canceled due to the inability of the Russian security system to fully protect strategic facilities in the rear.
In recent months, Ukraine has repeatedly struck military and oil infrastructure in St. Petersburg. In particular, attacks were recorded during the international economic forum in early June.
“Ukrainian long-range strikes at distances exceeding 1000 kilometers from the international border continue to demonstrate how Ukraine is bringing Russia’s war home, disrupting events that the Kremlin has historically leveraged for reputational and narrative gains,” analysts believe.
As we reported, Ukrainian strikes on St. Petersburg occurred at a symbolically important moment for the Kremlin — during the international economic forum, which undermined Putin’s image. The attacks demonstrated that the war has reached Russia’s deep rear, and even strategically important cities are not safe. Such strikes have not only a military but also an informational and psychological effect, undermining the Kremlin’s control and its narrative of “stability.”
The limited format of the May 9th parade in Moscow indicated a loss of Kremlin confidence and an increase in its vulnerability. The reduction of the event and the refusal to display heavy equipment are linked to fears of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes.
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