Vladivostok Celebrates 81st Victory Day: Parade, Road Closures and Event Guide

Today, May 9, Vladivostok joins the rest of the country in commemorating the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The city has organized a full day of events, ranging from military parades and commemorative marches to public concerts and athletic challenges. To ensure a safe and orderly celebration, city officials have implemented significant traffic restrictions and security measures in the city center.

Main Commemorative Events

The heart of the celebrations centers on Svetlanskaya Street, where the city’s most prominent tributes will take place.

Victory Parade

The Victory Parade begins at 10:00 on Svetlanskaya. This year’s parade focuses on the human element of the military, featuring only foot columns of service members from the Vladivostok garrison. While military hardware was seen during evening rehearsals, officials have decided not to include heavy machinery in the final procession.

The Immortal Regiment

Immediately following the parade, the “Immortal Regiment” march will take place. This citizen-led procession allows residents to honor their ancestors who fought in the war.

• Assembly: The column begins forming at 9:00 near the “Serya Loshad” stop (19a Aleutskaya St.).
• Route: Participants carrying portraits of their relatives will march along Svetlanskaya before turning toward the waterfront to reach the “Combat Glory of the Pacific Fleet” memorial.
• Participation: The event is open to all; no prior registration is required.

City-Wide Festivities and Cultural Programs

Beyond the central parade, various districts of Vladivostok are hosting themed events from midday until late evening.

Athletics and Traditions

• Record of Victory: At 11:00 in Sukhanov Square, participants will attempt a collective fitness feat. The goal is to complete a total of 29,585 push-ups, representing the exact number of days that have passed since May 9, 1945.
• Soldier’s Porridge: Traditional “soldier’s porridge” will be served to the public at 11:00 in Admiralsky Square and again during the evening festivities at Sergey Lazo Park.

Concerts and Performances

• Korabelnaya Embankment: A concert titled “About Heroes of Bygone Times” starts at 11:15.
• Teatralny Square: The “Primorsky Strings” concert is scheduled for 14:00.
• Sergey Lazo Park: At 17:30, the group “Maestro” will perform “About Heroes of Bygone Times,” featuring original songs dedicated to fallen service members and search-and-recovery teams.

Grand Finale: Fireworks

The celebrations conclude at 22:00 with synchronized pyrotechnic displays. A five-minute fireworks show will take place at the central square, while a 30-volley salute will be fired from Cape Bobrov in the vicinity of Zapadnaya Street.

Traffic and Public Transport Alerts

Visitors and residents should expect significant disruptions to movement in the city center. Roads in the central district are closed from 07:00 to 18:00, though traffic on Svetlanskaya may resume earlier depending on the conclusion of the marches.

Key Transport Impacts:

• Egersheld Access: Travel to and from the Egersheld district will be particularly challenging; commuters are urged to plan their trips carefully.
• Bus Rerouting: Public transport will not run through the city center. Buses from Egersheld, Lugovaya, and Pokrovsky Park will travel only as far as the closures before turning back.

Security Protocols and Banned Items

To ensure public safety, police will use metal detectors at checkpoints throughout the city center. Security personnel will prohibit the following items from entering protected zones:

• Weapons: Rifled and smoothbore firearms, self-defense weapons, ammunition, and cold weapons.
• Explosives: Explosive devices, detonators, and pyrotechnics (flares, firecrackers, signal rockets).
• Hazardous Materials: Compressed or liquefied gases, aerosol cans, and flammable liquids.
• Prohibited Goods: Alcohol, narcotic or psychotropic substances, and bulky items.
• Technology: Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) of any weight.
• Content: Printed materials that are extremist, discriminatory, or offensive to public morality.