The security authorities in many European countries have been on high alert for the last 24 hours and -at least- until Monday, May 9, as the events for the “Victory Day” culminate, with a multitude of pro-Russian events and rallies, simultaneously with demonstrations against war in Ukraine. The general climate “weighs” even more so than the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putinwho appears determined to raise his voice against the West, both with the show of strength he is preparing for the May 9 parade in Moscow’s Red Square and with the warning of a “possible consequence of the world” that he is said to be directing against the “Enemies” of Russia.
Germans divided – More than 3,400 police officers on standby in Berlin
Security forces across Germany are on high alert this weekend and until Monday ahead of pro-Russian rallies, demonstrations and large motorcades marking the historic anniversaries of May 8 and 9 – the day of Germany’s capitulation and the victory of the Red Army. Hitler’s Germany, respectively, reports DW.
More than 3,400 police officers are already on standby in Berlin, where large-scale marches in favor of Russia and Vladimir Putin have been under way since Sunday, culminating in Monday morning at the Soviet Monuments in Trepto Park and Tiergarten. So far, 50 rallies have been announced in Berlin for Sunday and Monday. However, the first marches of the motorcycle group “Wolves of the Night”, which is close to Vladimir Putin, started on Thursday.
However, demonstrations in favor of Ukraine are also planned, starting on Sunday, initially with marches near the German-Russian Carlschort Museum and the government district in central Berlin.
“For security reasons, we can not disclose exact locations and times,” the Russian embassy said in a statement.
The situation in the coming days is considered “increased risk” for incidents, with the head of the Berlin police Barbara Slovik appealing to prevent the “instrumentalization of the celebrations”. Pro-Russian marches in the coming days have already banned the use of the “G” symbol, which refers to the Russian armed forces and the offensive war in Ukraine, as well as other insignia or flags related to the Russian invasion. However, the decision of the police to ban both Russian and Ukrainian flags in at least 15 places in Berlin, with the exception of diplomatic missions and war veterans, causes a sensation – but also the reaction of the Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, Andriy Melnik.
“Alarm” and in the Service for the Protection of the Constitution
Two large convoys of Russian-speaking and pro-Russian people are also expected on Sunday on Cologne’s main streets, bound for a memorial to the Nazi victims in Greberger Veldhen, just outside the city. At the same time in Cologne is expected a large counter-demonstration in favor of Ukraine, with about 10,000 participants. The police presence is also strengthened in Cologne. Similar marches in favor of Russia are being planned in Bavaria, including Munich and Nuremberg, cities of particular symbolic significance because of their historical connection to the Nazi regime.
Finally, the Federal Authority for the Protection of the Constitution has sounded the alarm, with its leader Thomas Haldenwang speaking in an interview with the newspaper Die Welt “about an ideal opportunity to be exploited” by Russian state propaganda. According to Haldenwang, pro-Russian circles in Germany also seek to “present themselves as victims and fuel the narrative of an alleged ‘Russophobia’.” In fact, as he stated, false information about attacks on Russians or pro-Russian events are already circulating on the internet, which are deliberately spread in view of the coming days.
Nuclear parade and threats of “world’s fate” in Moscow
THE Russia performs today the last rehearsals before the traditional military parade on May 9 in Moscowas part of the celebrations for the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, which will be an occasion for a show of strength in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
Recent years, President Vladimir Putin used this parade to demonstrate the strength of its armed forces, in some cases revealing new state-of-the-art weapons. And this time he is expected to do the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o3Y671hgA
During the rehearsal, paratroopers who took part in the attack in Ukraine paraded in armored vehicles and are therefore expected to be “present” in Monday’s parade, notes the state news agency TASS, as reported by AFP.
This year, though, tanks and Russian troops will parade as usual in the emblematic Red Squarethe mind will be on Ukraine, where Moscow has launched an attack since late February, which called into question the image of its armed forces.
As a result, the military invasion, which many experts predicted would be rapid, has entered its third month and is marked by a series of failures, especially in the logistics sector, notes the French Agency.
After failing outside Kyiv in the face of more mobilized than-expected Ukrainian forces armed by the West, Russia’s general staff had to reconsider its targets and step up its offensive in the east and south of the country.
There is no doubt that Putin, who will deliver a long-awaited speech, would like to forget the loss of the Moskva persecutor. Moscow confirms it sank after a fire broke out in an accident, but Kyiv says its coastal defenses hit it.
As the parade is closely watched by Western capitals, Putin will have a new opportunity to send warnings, as Moscow has repeatedly mentioned the nuclear threat.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the “Apocalypse aircraft”, an Ilyushin Il-80, specially designed to allow the Russian president to continue to rule the country from the air, in case of a nuclear war, will fly over the Red Square.
The parade will involve weapons that could launch nuclear missiles, such as the Iars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile and the Iskander short-range missile system.
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