The weeks around the New Year, Russia's most festive holiday, are always a time of bright, elaborate decorations in the country's cities.

But this year, amid the invasion of Ukraine, authorities have added pro-war symbols to the usual decorations of lights, wreaths and New Year's trees.

Russian war correspondents and soldiers back from the battlefield are also expected to appear on Russia's New Year's variety show, which airs after President Vladimir Putin's midnight speech.

But in many cities, the normally extravagant New Year's celebrations have been canceled or scaled back, with local officials saying the budget will be redirected to support the military in its bloody 10-month invasion.

Here's a look at the installments cropping up in Moscow and St. Petersburg — along with other preparations for the holiday:

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