Russia has canceled its annual naval parade on the occasion of Navy Day, the Kremlin announced, citing "security considerations", without specifying specific reasons, BTA reports.
“This is related to the overall situation. Security considerations are the most important“, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a journalistic question.
Russian Navy Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of July. This year, the holiday falls on today. By tradition, the event includes a ceremonial passage of naval vessels in the waters off St. Petersburg. The parade was reinstated by presidential decree in 2017, Russian agencies recall.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have shot down 291 Ukrainian drones.
“Air defense systems destroyed two guided aerial bombs, three rockets from Czech 'Vampire' multiple launch rocket systems, and 291 unmanned aircraft,“ the official statement said.
The ministry added that Russian combat aircraft and drones carried out strikes on facilities related to the production and management of drones in Ukraine.