After shelling in Belgorod, officials in several Russian cities cancel New Year’s fireworks

Officials in several Russian cities, mainly in Russia’s Far East, have canceled New Year’s fireworks following the deaths of more than 20 people in Belgorod due to shelling.

Fireworks in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky have been canceled, reported Mayor Konstantin Bryzgin, although there will still be a festive program. Officials in Blagoveshchensk and Vladivostok also canceled fireworks.

Magadan Mayor Yuri Grishan said that holding New Year’s events in the city center would be inappropriate. He urged residents not to set off fireworks.

Festive lighting will be turned off in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug “as a sign of support for the residents of Belgorod and the Belgorod region.”

On December 30, Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev called on residents to refrain from setting off fireworks over the weekend. The next day, he announced that the Voronezh region would completely abandon festive programs.

Officials in many Russian cities, including Moscow, had already decided to cancel New Year’s fireworks. In some Russian regions, including Rostov, Belgorod, Oryol, and Kursk, there are bans on launching fireworks and setting off firecrackers.