Ukraine: Victory Day military parades preparations in Crimea May 2-9

Event

Preparations for the Victory Day military parades will take place in Crimea from Thursday, May 2, until Thursday, May 9. Parade rehearsals by Russian armed forces will take place in the cities of Kerch, Sevastopol and Simferopol. In Simferopol, traffic will be suspended from 05:00 (local time) to 12:30 on Thursday, May 9 in the following streets:

• Kirova Avenue
  
• Karl Marx street
• Pavlenka street
• Sevastopolskaya street
  

Kirova avenue will be closed again to traffic from 18:00 to 22:30 on Thursday, May 9. A heightened security presence and further traffic disruptions are expected in the vicinity of all commemorative sites.

Context

Russia holds the annual Victory Day parade on May 9 to celebrate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. This will be the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II and the government typically uses the parade to showcase new military technology.

Advice

Individuals in Crimea, and more generally in Ukraine, are advised to anticipate transportation disruptions around all Victory Day events. Individuals should allow additional time to travel, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.