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Russian President Vladimir Putin has had to postpone the traditional military parade in Moscow. In his speech to the Russian people, he paid tribute to war veterans. Photo: Reuters
The Coronavirus ends Vladimir Putin’s great celebration of Nazi Germany’s victory.
– For us, this is the most important holiday, says Vladimir Putin to the Russian people.
Today, Russian authorities were to hold a massive military parade on Red Square to showcase the most advanced military equipment the country has to offer. Russians celebrate this day every year, Victory Day, but this year the parade should be too big to celebrate that 75 years have passed since the victory over the Nazis.
But Russia, like the rest of the world, is affected by the corona virus. And they are hit hard.
PROTECTED: A military ship was ready for the celebration on the Neva River in St. Petersburg yesterday, but masks were used on board.
Last week, Russian authorities confirmed a little more than 10,000 new infected patients every day, which is equivalent to 198,676 on Saturday. However, deaths are unusually low. Because according to official figures, 1827 have died (more than 100 more than yesterday).
At 09 a grave putin left flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden, Moscow. And he paid tribute to the soldiers who fought and gave their lives in the fight against the Germans.
“These are our memories and our pride, the history of our country, the history of each family, a part of our souls that our fathers and mothers, our grandparents transmitted to us,” says Putin.
He promised the Russian people that the celebration and the grand parade on Red Square will be held later.
“We know and firmly believe that when we are together, we are invincible,” Putin said.
EXERCISE: Here military aircraft are practicing the Kremlin exhibition, which will still take place. 47 Russian cities will have an air show today. Photo: SERGEI ILNITSKY / EPA
With the celebration postponed, Vladimir Putin loses this opportunity to show both his personal military power and that of Russia, at a time of great economic challenges.
– In Putin’s time, the 60s and 70s marks have been important popular events to show the strength of Russian nationalism, says VG commentator Per Olav Ødegård.
– The President cannot be accused of the virus. But he can be criticized for reacting too late and for having done little to reduce economic damage, Ødegård writes.
Must celebrate online
Russian news agency Tass notes that many of the postponed celebrations will be kept online, so that Russians “can follow the atmosphere” of the brand without leaving their homes.
Fireworks have yet to launch in 29 cities and the military display in 47 cities, says Tass. But the main celebration must take place online.
