Moscow Cancels Spasskaya Tower Festival 4 Days Before Start as Drone Attacks Hit Russia
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 17
Moscow Cancels Spasskaya Tower Festival 4 Days Before Start as Drone Attacks Hit Russia
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 17
Summary
Organizers scrapped the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival four days before its planned August 21 opening on Red Square, with the event now postponed to 2027.
The cancellation comes amid intensified drone attacks on Russia and Moscow, after organizers earlier cited reasons beyond their control.
Spasskaya Tower draws thousands of spectators and dozens of military bands, making it one of Russia’s flagship military-themed spectacles alongside the May 9 Victory Day parade and Navy Day events.
The festival was launched in 2007 on Vladimir Putin’s orders and has now been canceled only twice — first in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.