Residents of Russia’s second-largest city St. Petersburg flocked to the banks of the Neva River on Saturday for the city’s annual Scarlet Sails celebration.
Thousands of spectators watched ships with red sails glide down the river as fireworks lit up the night sky above. On Palace Square, a number of musical acts staged live performances.
Saturday’s armed rebellion by Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin — which ended just hours before the beginning of the event — did not prevent the annual tradition for new high-school graduates from going forward.
Meanwhile in Moscow, an anti-terrorism regime was declared and large events were called off.
Here is a look at this year’s event:
