Russia is set to hold its Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, commemorating the Soviet Union's triumph in the Great Patriotic War. According to Russian officials, several foreign leaders, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim, and President of Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Milorad Dodik, will visit Russia on the 9th. Due to security concerns, this year's Red Square parade has been scaled back, with no display of military equipment such as tanks and ballistic missiles. Ahead of the parade, Russia announced a ceasefire on the front lines from 00:00 on May 8 to 00:00 on May 10, warning that if Ukraine attempts to disrupt Russian celebrations, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv. On the 8th, Russia and Ukraine exchanged large-scale attacks, with AFP commenting that Russia's declared unilateral ceasefire "appears to have collapsed."
"Our Tanks Belong on the Battlefield, Not on Red Square" According to the Victory Day parade schedule released by Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, around 9:45 AM local time on the 9th (2:45 PM Beijing time), Russia will hold a welcome ceremony for foreign guests. President Vladimir Putin will attend and, together with the guests, proceed to Red Square for the parade. Putin will deliver a speech at the parade, where marching units and aerobatic teams will be reviewed. Putin will also lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Red Square alongside foreign representatives and veterans of the Great Patriotic War. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 8th that representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Russia have been invited to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on the 9th. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that, by decision of President Putin, a ceasefire will be in effect from 00:00 on May 8 to 00:00 on May 10 during the Victory Day celebrations. Starting from 00:00 on May 8, all Russian military units will cease combat operations along the entire line of contact in the special military operation zone and will hold previously occupied lines and positions. The Russian Ministry of Defense warned that if Ukrainian forces violate the ceasefire decision in the special military operation zone or attempt to attack Russian settlements and targets, the Russian Armed Forces will respond accordingly. If the Kyiv regime attempts to disrupt the 81st anniversary celebrations of the Great Patriotic War victory, the Russian Armed Forces will carry out a large-scale missile strike on central Kyiv. "We once again warn civilians in Kyiv and staff of foreign diplomatic missions to evacuate Kyiv promptly." The BBC reported that May 9 Victory Day is Russia's most important holiday of the year, and the annual Victory Day parade holds significant meaning. Due to the threat of Ukrainian drones over Red Square, Russia has scaled back this year's parade. For the first time in nearly two decades, the Red Square parade will not feature military equipment: no tanks, no ballistic missiles, only soldiers. In response, Russian MP Yevgeny Popov stated: "Our tanks are currently engaged in combat. We need them more on the battlefield than on Red Square." Russian media outlets such as Vedomosti reported that this year's Red Square Victory Day parade will have no military equipment display for the first time since 2007.
Mobile Network Restrictions in Moscow In light of the security situation and to prevent potential attacks by Ukraine, Russia has comprehensively strengthened security measures and is on high alert. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated on the 7th that security for Putin and Victory Day events has been enhanced, with synchronized security measures strengthened nationwide. Russian special services have implemented multiple additional security arrangements ahead of the events, specifically to prevent possible Ukrainian sabotage of the Moscow Victory Day parade. According to Russian media reports, Russia has recently deployed substantial additional air defense forces to the Moscow area. At least over a dozen regions across Russia have canceled offline celebratory events. It has been observed that in recent days, security checkpoints have notably increased in central Moscow, especially near core areas such as Red Square, metro stations, and crowded areas. Russian National Guard soldiers, police officers, and special forces personnel are frequently patrolling and occasionally checking pedestrians' documents. On some main roads on the outskirts near Red Square in the city center, Russia has deployed vehicle-mounted mobile firepower groups to guard against Ukrainian drones. Simultaneously, Russia has also imposed restrictions on mobile network services. Interfax reported on the 7th, citing Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, that to ensure the safety of Victory Day celebrations, mobile internet and SMS services will be restricted across Moscow on the 9th. Messages received from Russian telecom operators and banks indicate that mobile network and SMS services in Moscow city and Moscow region may be restricted from the 5th to the 9th. The BBC reported that when asked about network service issues, Russian MP Popov stated, "How we use the internet is none of your business," adding, "It's better to have no internet than to be killed by Ukrainian missiles or drones." Additionally, reports indicate that this year, Russian authorities have, for the first time, suddenly and temporarily revoked the accreditation of many foreign journalists who had previously been certified to cover the Red Square Victory Day parade. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov responded on the 8th, calling such reports "false information." Many foreign media outlets requested to cover the parade, but as the overall parade scale has been reduced this year, the number of journalists has also been limited.
Continued Mutual Attacks Between Russia and Ukraine The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 8th that despite Russia's announced ceasefire, Ukrainian forces continue to attack Russian positions and civilian targets in border areas of Belgorod and Kursk regions. Within the special military operation zone, Russia recorded over 1,600 violations of the ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media on the same day that from the evening of the 7th to 7 AM on the 8th, Russian forces conducted over 140 artillery strikes on Ukrainian front-line positions and launched 10 assaults at night. Russian offensive efforts focused on the Sloviansk direction, using more than 850 drones in attacks, all indicating Russia's unwillingness to cease fire on the front lines. He stated: "Ukraine will respond in kind." The BBC reported that in January this year, the Russia-Ukraine conflict reached a new milestone: its duration has surpassed that of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War against Hitler. As peace talks remain stalled, an end to the conflict seems distant. According to Sputnik News Agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on the 8th that in the current situation, the struggle against Nazism holds practical significance. Nazism is not only resurging ideologically but also attempting to distort history. He stated that if Western Nazis attempt to use Ukraine to create threats on Victory Day, Russia will never forgive them.
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