The Kremlin denied having such plans, calling the reports “untrue” and “nonsense.”Īsked by The Associated Press on Friday whether mobilization rumors could dampen the Victory Day mood, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “nothing will cast a shadow” over “the sacred day, the most important day” for Russians. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told LBC Radio that Putin was “laying the ground for being able to say, ‘Look, this is now a war against Nazis, and what I need is more people.’” Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said Moscow was covertly preparing such a plan. “I can’t remember a time when the May 9 holiday was anticipated with such anxiety,” historian Ivan Kurilla wrote on Facebook. Some Russians fear that President Vladimir Putin will use it to declare that what the Kremlin has previously called a “special military operation” in Ukraine will now be a full-fledged war - bringing with it a broad mobilization of troops to bolster Russia’s forces.
The pride and patriotism usually associated with Russia’s most important holiday, marked by a huge parade of soldiers and military hardware through Red Square, is mixing with apprehension and unease over what this year’s Victory Day may bring. Flowers are being laid by veterans’ groups at monuments to the Great Patriotic War, as World War II is known in the country.Īt first glance, preparations for Monday’s celebration of Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, seem to be the same as ever.īut the mood this year is very different, because Russian troops are fighting and dying again.Īnd this battle, now in its 11th week, is going on in neighboring Ukraine, against what the government has falsely called a campaign against “Nazis.” Neighborhoods are staging holiday concerts. Red Soviet flags and orange-and-black striped military ribbons are on display in Russian cities and towns.
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