Russian President Vladimir Putin, in connection with the situation arising from the spread of the coronavirus infection COVID-19, instructed to postpone all the mass events that were planned as part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The corresponding order was given to Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu, heads of law enforcement agencies, and authorities at all levels.

“Before the holiday, before Victory Day, less than a month. Now we have a difficult, frankly, difficult choice. And the date of May 9 is holy for us, and the life of every person is priceless. For the parade on May 9, its preparation should be started now, right now. But the risks associated with the epidemic, the peak of which is not passed, are still extremely high. And this does not give me the right to begin preparations for the parade and other mass events, ”Putin said.

The head of state also appealed to the participants of the rally "Immortal Regiment". He noted that “at the call of the heart” he had participated in all recent years “in this impressive, incomparable march”.

“I understand that for all of us May 9 is Victory Day. He is with us forever. This date itself cannot be canceled or rescheduled. We will not do that. Every family will remember and honor their heroes on this day, ”the Russian leader added.

At the same time, as Putin noted, the authorities will do everything necessary for the veterans to feel care and gratitude. The President expressed confidence that this year May 9 will be the day of the unification of the country's population and will give everyone strength to overcome any difficulties and trials.

“We will make the threat we face today retreat. And then we will surely carry out all the events planned for May 9, we will do it warmly and solemnly. Of course, in the current year 2020. Moreover, this whole year has been declared the Year of Memory and Glory in Russia. Hug then our veterans. There will be our main parade in Moscow, on Red Square. And of course, the march of the Immortal regiment will certainly be, ”Putin stated.

On the eve of the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov said that the president of Russia will certainly consider the appeal of veteran organizations with a request to postpone the Victory Parade.

This appeal was signed by the president of the Russian Association of Heroes Vladimir Shamanov, chairman of the All-Russian public organization of veterans (pensioners) of the war, labor, armed forces and law enforcement agencies Vladimir Epifanov and the head of the All-Russian public organization of veterans of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Viktor Ermakov.

“Unfortunately, the situation in the world has made it impossible to give a guarantee of health safety during the parade this May 9th. In this regard, on behalf of the entire veteran community, we ask you to make a difficult, but, as we believe, fair decision to hold a military parade on another date when, in accordance with the epidemiological situation, the parade will become not a threat, but truly a triumph of peace and security for all of it participants, ”the document said.

Note that the All-Russian public movement “Immortal Regiment of Russia” is already working on the possibility of organizing an action in remote formats.

“We proceed from the epidemiological situation in the country, therefore our position fully coincides with the position of the president on the priority of the health of citizens. We understand that Victory Day is the most important date for our country, and we are sure that when the situation allows, this event will certainly take place. While we are working on remote formats. I can’t say the details yet, because everything is in the process of approving and running in resources so that it is as convenient as possible for everyone, ”Olga Baybulova, the organization’s press secretary, quotes TASS.

Recall that the processions of the "Immortal Regiment" in memory of the participants of the Great Patriotic War are held in Russia. Last year, 10 million people took part in them only in the Russian Federation. In addition, every year more and more countries of the world join the movement. In 2019, promotions were held on all continents.

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The decision to postpone the Victory Parade was a forced, but the only right one, stated the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin. According to him, parliamentarians support the position of the president, since the safety and health of the population are a priority for the state.

“We will celebrate the May 9 holiday at home, now we must take an even greater responsibility towards the health of our veterans, our grandparents, relatives and friends. We will certainly congratulate our veterans, and the Parade and Immortal Regiment, as the president said, will be held this year, ”said Volodin.