Russia cancels May 9 parades amid huge losses in Ukraine
The leaders of a number of Russian regions bordering Ukraine, as well as occupied Crimea, have announced the cancellation of usually high-profile military parades dedicated to Victory Day on 9 May.
This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense on Twitter.
The events were primarily canceled because of security concerns near the border, as officials have claimed.
As noted in the summary, some Russian cities further away from Ukraine have confirmed they plan to go ahead with Victory Day.
According to British intelligence, the different approaches highlight a sensitive communications challenge for the Kremlin. Putin couches the ‘special military operation’ in the spirit of the Soviet experience in World War Two..
The message risks sitting increasingly uneasily with the many Russians who have immediate insights into the mismanaged and failing campaign in Ukraine.
"Honouring the fallen of previous generations could easily blur into exposing the scope of the recent losses, which the Kremlin attempts to cover up," the British Defense Ministry noted.
Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 13/04/2022
