This year’s commemoration of the Soviet Victory Day seems to be toned down in several Russian regions – especially near the border with Ukraine.
May 9 marks the Soviet Union’s victory over the Nazis during the Second World War, and President Vladimir Putin has for a number of years made a point of organizing grandiose military parades.
But this year there will be no parades in the five regions of Bryansk, Pskov, Ryazan, Kursk or Belgorod – we are to believe announcements from local authorities.
Justified for safety reasons
The three regions of Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod all border Ukraine, and have all been subject to Ukrainian attacks.
Local authorities in the three regions have justified the decisions to drop larger markings with regard to the citizens’ safety.
– Due to the high terrorist threat, there will be restrictions, says local officials in Brjansk.
This is also the reason for the cancellation of major events in Pskov, which is located in the far west of Russia – close to the border with Estonia and Latvia.
The region’s airport was exposed to a drone attack last autumn.
A severe forest fire has broken out on the outskirts of the city of Ulan-Ude, in eastern Russia. According to the Russian authorities, at least 20 houses in a suburb of the city have been engulfed by the flames. Reporter: Jostein Sletten / Dagbladet
view more
The mayor of Ryazan, southeast of Moscow, says only that there will be no parade. Ukraine is said to have attacked an oil refinery in the region repeatedly – most recently in March.
Before last year’s Victory Day commemoration, on 3 May 2023, there were reports of a drone attack on the Kremlin building in Moscow. American intelligence sources claimed a few weeks later to have indications that Ukrainian special forces may have been behind such an attack.
Liberation Day characterized by attacks
Like Norway, Ukraine marks liberation day on 8 May.
It is said to have started with extensive Russian attacks against energy facilities in several regions. The Ukrainian military claims that 39 of 55 rockets and 20 of 21 drones were shot down. Three energy plants will be affected.
In his speech to the nation on the occasion of Liberation Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew lines between the fight against the Nazis during World War II and the fight the country now faces against Russia.
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has invited several heads of state to his celebration in Moscow on Thursday.
Verstka claims to have information that five to eight heads of state are expected to attend, including the presidents of Belarus, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Laos, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
