Russia planning victory parade in Mariupol, Ukraine says

Russia is planning a navy parade within the embattled metropolis of Mariupol, Ukraine’s intelligence service mentioned on Wednesday.  

The parade is ready to be held within the south-eastern Ukrainian metropolis on 9 Might to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day Parade, which celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany within the Second World Warfare. 

Mariupol “will develop into the centre of celebrations”, mentioned the Ukrainian Navy Intelligence (GUR) in a press release printed on Telegram. 

“The primary avenues of town are [being] urgently cleaned, the particles and the our bodies of the lifeless eliminated, in addition to the ammunition which didn’t explode,” it added.

The GUR described the parade as a part of a “large-scale propaganda marketing campaign” by Russia to affect the roughly 120,000 individuals who stay within the bombed-out metropolis, which is now largely underneath Russian management. 

“They’re suppressing all proof of the crimes they dedicated,” mentioned Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko on Ukrainian tv. “They provide meals to the native inhabitants in trade for his or her work.” 

Audiences in Russia may also be proven footage of Mariupol rejoicing at having Russian troops of their metropolis, it continued. 

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu didn’t affirm the parade would happen in Mariupol when requested about his nation’s Victory Day preparations, reported AFP. 

However he mentioned: “this 12 months, navy parades will happen in 28 Russian cities”, including “practically 65,000 individuals, about 2,400 sorts of weapons and navy tools and greater than 460 planes will likely be mobilised.” 

In keeping with the GUR, Deputy Director of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergei Kirienko has arrived in Mariupol to arrange for the parade.

“The primary mission of Mr Putin’s official is to arrange the Might 9 ceremonies,” learn the intelligence service assertion. 

The Victory Day parade, occurring yearly in Moscow’s Pink Sq., is a vital occasion in Russia. 

Heavy weaponry and missiles will likely be on show, as Russia exhibits off its navy to the world, whereas the Russian chief will seemingly use the rostrum to rejoice his nation’s historical past and warn the West amid the warfare in Ukraine.