VLADIMIR Putin has been forced to cancel midnight firework displays across Russia as a joyless consequence of his war against Ukraine.
A major pyrotechnics show over the Kremlin and onion-domed St Basil’s Cathedral is normally one of the iconic moments as new year rolls around the world.
Vladimir Putin’s regime has cancelled New Year fireworks in Moscow
But Red Square will be closed to revellers for hours either side of midnight.
Displays in dozens of major cities across Russia’s 11 time zones were cancelled – including in second city St Petersburg and the Pacific capital Vladivostok.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a close Putin ally, said a poll showed people were against celebrating the New Year with fireworks due to the ongoing war.
There have been claims that the war-wounded could be scared of the noise from fireworks.
There were also fears that Ukraine could sabotage the traditional firework displays.
Fireworks at New Year were introduced in Russia by Peter the Great.
Displays in Moscow marking New Year were cancelled since the start of the war.
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