Russia Labour Day parade cancelled for 'terrorist' threat

Moscow.  Russia's main labour union said Friday it is cancelling demonstrations for the popular Labour Day celebrations on May 1, due to alleged high terrorist threats amid the Ukraine offensive.

Moscow has increased its rhetoric around domestic threats, particularly since the deadly attack on a military blogger that it claims was organised by Ukraine and incited by the opposition.

"There won't be any marches or rallies in the capital, but a solemn meeting" with trade union activists and partners, said Alexander Shershukov, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation of Independent Trade Unions.

A popular event in Soviet times when it was called the Day of the International Solidarity of Workers, May 1 is a state holiday in Russia and is still widely celebrated.

Shershukov said the decision to cancel the parades was due to "the higher level of terrorist threat, even in regions far from the places of the special military operation."

Authorities also cancelled the demonstrations in Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.

The Moscow-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, announced "the cancellations of the parade for May 1, as well as the Immortal Regiment procession and the military parade on May 9."

Russians celebrate Victory Day on May 9, of the country's most important holidays marking the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Military parades and memorial marches called the "Immortal Regiment" are usually held across the country.