Vladimir Putin will address Russia from Moscow as part of the celebration of Victory Day in the country amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The president described the campaign as a “special military operation” to “demilitarize” and “denationalize” the country since the invasion began on February 24th.
However, after failing to achieve its original military objectives, Russia suffered heavy losses while the Kremlin was accused of targeting civilians and committing other war crimes during the conflict.
Despite growing casualties and its economy, which has been shaken by Western sanctions, Russia is still expected to describe the “special operation” as a victory on Victory Day – that’s all you need to know.
When is Victory Day in Russia?
Russia’s Victory Day is celebrated every year on Monday, May 9 – considered the proudest date in the country’s calendar and has been celebrated as a national holiday since its inception in 1991.
He marks the surrender of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II, when Soviet forces took over Berlin.
While this stage fell on May 8, 1945 – which is celebrated as VE Day in the United Kingdom and elsewhere – it came after midnight Moscow time, hence the slightly different date.
Russia traditionally shows military power on Victory Day (Photo: Getty)
Speaking to CNN, James Nixie, director of the Russia-Eurasia program at the Chatham House Defense Trust, said: “May 9 is intended to appear in front of a native audience, intimidate the opposition and please the dictator of the time.
Mr Putin’s rhetoric about the invasion of Ukraine strongly refers to World War II, with his repeated insistence that it aims to “denazify” the country condemned by Western leaders.
In a 2015 article recalling his parents’ stories of World War II, Mr Putin wrote that his younger brother had died of diphtheria and that his mother and father had been seriously injured in the siege of Leningrad during the war. .
More about the war between Russia and Ukraine
What can you expect from Victory Day parade?
On Victory Day, Russian troops marched on Red Square in Moscow in a huge patriotic exhibition, which includes exhibitions of the country’s military arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Although there have been extensive commemorations from time to time during the Soviet era, President Putin has sought to make the annual military parade what it is today.
Last year’s event had more than 12,000 troops, 190 pieces of military equipment, and a flight of nearly 80 military aircraft.
Mr Putin has traditionally observed military pomp and spectacle from a rostrum full of war veterans.
There are fears that Victory Day could provoke additional Russian mobilization (Photo: Getty Images)
He is expected to highlight the enormous sacrifices made by the Soviet Union to defeat Adolf Hitler when he addressed the nation from Red Square.
There are fears that Putin will declare what will now be a “special military operation” in Ukraine a full-fledged war, leading to further mobilization of Russian forces and escalation of the conflict.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told LBC Radio that Mr Putin was laying the groundwork for him to say, “Look, this is a war against the Nazis, and what I need is more people.”
The Kremlin has denied any such plans, calling the reports “false” and “nonsense.” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “nothing will overshadow” the “holy day, the most important day” for Russians.
Victory Day parade continues despite significant Russian losses in Ukraine (Photo: Getty)
Although Ukraine estimates that Russia has lost more than 25,000 troops in the campaign and the damage done to its economy, many of the usual Victory Day celebrations appear to be taking place.
Red Soviet flags and traditional military ribbons with orange and black stripes associated with St. George are on display in Russian cities and towns, with neighborhoods hosting holiday concerts and laying flowers at World War II monuments.
The letter “Z” has become a symbol of conflict, adorning buildings, posters and billboards across Russia, and many of its forms use the colors and patterns of the orange and black ribbon.
Russian opposition activists say the state media is partially reporting on the conflict and the independent media is stifled.
But Kremlin officials say the Western media is reporting an overly pro-Ukrainian version of the conflict, ignoring Moscow’s concerns.
Opinion polls show that most Russians support the military operation and that Putin’s approval rating has risen by more than 14 percentage points to 81.5 percent since the start of the military operation.
Additional reports from agencies
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