The Russian authorities restricted internet and telephone access in the Moscow area on Wednesday. Vladimir Putin's spokesperson asked the capital's residents for patience in the coming days. Russia will celebrate the so-called Victory Day in World War II with military pomp and circumstance – while another war is raging.
Our military and security services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, peaceful, and stable atmosphere, said spokesperson Dmitrij Peskov.
At the same time, Russian military reported that more than 500 drones flew into the country during the night.
No Response
Ukraine's President Zelensky said in a video message published on Telegram that "it is completely fair that the Russian sky, the aggressor's sky, is not peaceful either".
He said that "Russia has not responded to the proposal" for a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has put forward in indirect negotiations.
The concern in Russia over drone attacks was apparent; more than 350 departures and arrivals at airports in Moscow and other cities in western Russia were cancelled on Wednesday morning.
The restrictions were introduced to guarantee the safety of civilian air travel, according to the Russian air transport authority.
World leaders could, however, land in Moscow. China's leader Xi Jinping arrived in Russia for a four-day visit. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to participate, but cancelled his trip due to the escalation with Pakistan.
From the EU, only one leader is reported to participate in the ceremonies: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico.
"Nothing Scares Us"
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has also travelled to Moscow to participate in the ceremonies. His visit is controversial as the EU has warned him against participating. Serbia is seeking EU membership.
Russia has unilaterally declared a ceasefire due to the celebrations, whereupon Ukraine has stated that it cannot guarantee the safety of those who want to participate in the Russian invasion forces' military parade.
Russia has continued to attack Ukraine on a large scale, with frequent reports of civilian casualties there.
Russia celebrates May 9 every year, marking the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II – or the Great Patriotic War, as it is called there. This year, it has been 80 years since the victory day. The number of fallen soldiers and civilian casualties in the former Soviet Union is counted in millions.
Vladimir Putin has for a long time attached great importance to Victory Day, and previously, many Western leaders have participated in parades in Moscow. But the Victory Day celebrations, with pompous parades demonstrating today's Russian military power, have gotten a divided meaning in many other former Soviet states where great sacrifices were made and where the relationship with Russia is sensitive.
In Ukraine's case, Russia has motivated its attacks on the country with lies about the democratically elected government in Kyiv being "Nazi" and Ukrainian independence an extremist invention – to give the impression that today's war is being fought in line with the struggle that was fought 80 years ago, with phrases that allude to a deeply rooted victory narrative among many Russians.
The Ukrainian government has previously made a point of moving the memorial day to May 8, in line with countries in Western Europe.
