Several Russian cities have announced that they will scale back this year's Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
The Russian authorities cited security reasons and attacks by pro-Ukrainian forces for the changes.
Explosions and fires have been reported in Russia in recent weeks.
But some argue that the limited Victory Day celebrations show that the Kremlin is nervous about such events turning into demonstrations of opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.
Great fanfare and demonstrations of military power are common features of Victory Day, which commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945.
One of the most recognizable events of the day is the Immortal Regiment march, during which people across the country walk in a procession holding photos of family members who fought in World War II.
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin led a procession through Moscow's Red Square holding a photo of his father in uniform.
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This year, however, the Immortal Regiment "will be held in other forms for security reasons," MP and organizer Jelena Tsunajeva told reporters last month.
According to a statement on the website of the Immortal Regiment of Russia, Tsunayeva suggested that those who want to honor family members should put photos of war veterans on car windows, on clothes or change their avatars on social networks.
Some commentators say that the Immortal Regiment parade this year could turn into highlighting the number of Russian losses in Ukraine.
Dmitry Kolezev, a journalist and editor of a liberal news site now living in exile, said that people would "almost certainly come to the Immortal Regiment parade with photos of those who died in Ukraine" and that the number of such photos "could turn out to be depressingly large".
Kolezev added that the authorities are worried that a large gathering of people could turn into a demonstration of disagreement with the war in Ukraine.
"There are well-known examples from history when similar events turned into protests," he said on the Telegram channel.
Viktor Muchnik, a former editor-in-chief of a Siberian TV network who has also left the country, said the Russian state was "maniacally suspicious" and was less concerned about a "hypothetical terrorist attack" than the damage it might do to its public image. .
He said that the Kremlin might be afraid that the procession will contain "too many photos of those who died not 80 years ago, but in the past year".
"This will give an idea of the hidden scale of the disaster," Muchnik said in an interview.
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The world-famous military parade on Red Square in Moscow, which is traditionally watched live by Putin, will be strictly closed to the public.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian security services are working to secure the parade from "terrorist attacks."
"Of course, we are aware that the Kiev regime, which is behind many such attacks, terrorist acts, plans to continue this campaign. All our special services are doing everything possible to ensure security," he said.
Two separate fires at fuel depots have broken out in recent days in southern Russia and in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
This week, two separate explosions were reported in the Russian border region of Bryansk, while power lines were destroyed by an explosive device in the Leningrad region.
Although Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for any of these attacks, the military command in Kiev says that undermining Russian logistics is part of preparations for its long-awaited counter-offensive.
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