Overview

• Officials cited the overnight downing of about 100 Ukrainian drones as the primary security concern behind the cancellation.
• Saint Petersburg authorities had initially called off the parade and traditional fireworks without explanation before the Kremlin announced security as the reason.
• The "Tempête de juillet" drills began on July 23, are set to run through July 27 and involve more than 150 ships and 15,000 personnel.
• Air defenses in the Leningrad region intercepted over ten drones near Saint Petersburg, injuring a woman and disrupting dozens of flights at Pulkovo airport.
• President Vladimir Putin praised the navy’s heroism in video remarks and emphasized its role in defending Russian sovereignty in the Ukraine conflict.