It is a decades-old tradition in Russia’s far-eastern city of Khabarovsk, as it is in most of the country’s far flung provincial towns. Every spring, enterprises and government offices get a blanket invitation: would anyone care to march in the ruling political party’s annual May Day parade?

It is an offer few feel they can refuse in a practice that dates back to the days of communism, when marchers waved red flags. The practice continues under the United Russia party, headed by prime minister Vladimir Putin. Only the flag (now a Russian tricolour) and the photos on the posters have changed.