Russia Preparing For May 9 Victory Day Celebrations

 

Moscow Times: Z-symbols, Fewer Tanks and No Guests: Russia Prepares to Mark Victory Day as Ukraine War Rages 

Russia will mark Monday the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazism amid expectations that ongoing fighting in Ukraine will cast a long shadow over the popular event. 

In particular, the set piece military parade on Moscow’s Red Square will see significantly fewer soldiers and equipment compared to last year, which experts have linked to significant losses sustained by Russia in its ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine. 

“This is one of the few times when Russia is conducting a conventional war at its borders at the same time as having the parade,” Aglaya Snetkov, an expert in Russian foreign policy at University College London told The Moscow Times.  

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WNU Editor: The focus on this year's Victory Day celebrations in Russia will be focused on the sacrifices that were made to win the Second World War, and to maintain public support for the war in Ukraine. I do not expect a formal declaration of war or a full mobilization of the country, nor a declaration that Russia has achieved its military goals in Ukraine, and will cease military operations. 

Russia Preparing For May 9 Victory Day Celebrations  

Moscow's mood ahead of Victory Day mixes anxiety and resilience -- Reuters  

What Is Putin Planning for May 9? -- Jonah Shepp, New York Magazine  

Is Putin preparing for total war on 9 May? -- Phillips O’Brien, the Spectator  

All-out war on Ukraine? Putin could be gearing up for something big on May 9 -- CNBC  

Victory Day Mobilization Call Unlikely, But Putin Will Seek To Mobilize Russian Society -- RFE  

Russia: What is Victory Day, and why is it important this May 9? -- Al Jazeera