Australia curtails Kremlin-linked activities, bars Russian groups from annual parade

The annual Australia Day parade is hugely popular. It invites numerous Adelaide organizations to participate and share their various cultures and traditions. Russian associations and NGOs have been absent from this event for the second consecutive year.

The Russian embassy in Australia divulged that the Russian Cultural Center did not receive permission to participate in the parade. The Russians feel that, through this action, Australia has revealed its "unpleasant side".

Spokespersons from the Russian diplomatic mission released a statement expressing their "outrage" over the conduct of Australia Day Council in South Australia (ADCSA).

The Australia Day celebrations in Adelaide recently took place. We were once again confronted with the "unpleasant side" of the South Australian style. The Australia Day Council in South Australia (ADCSA) barred the Russian Cultural Center from participation in the parade commemorating this holiday for the second year in a row - the affronted Russians report.

Undoubtedly, the decision coincides with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict initiated by the Kremlin. Australia strives to evade propaganda content in public environments, leading to tensions between the Russian and Australian affiliations.

Every year on January 26, Australia Day is celebrated. Regarded as a national holiday, it commemorates the founding of the first settlement in the Antipodes by Captain Arthur Phillip, who later became the Governor of Australia.

As a public holiday, there are countrywide parades held in honor of Phillip.