▲ Smoke rises from the Azoustal Works
The Kremlin has denied speculation that a ceremony to commemorate the victory in World War II will be held on the 9th in Mariupol, a city in southern Ukraine that is effectively controlled by the Russian army.
Kremlin spokeswoman Dmitry Peskov on the 6th (local time) asked reporters if Russia is planning to send a Mariupolo delegation to the Victory Day celebrations, according to TAS news agency. Nothing is known about it.”
“It is, as you know, impossible to organize a celebration this year in this city,” he said.
He added, however, that he did not know if the Russian Ministry of Defense would hold its own military parade in Mariupol.
At least, it is explained that there will be no large-scale victory celebrations at the Russian government level.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russia was preparing to hold a military parade in Mariupol to commemorate Victory Day in World War II (May 9).
Mariupol is a strategic point connecting the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where the Russian army is currently conducting a large-scale offensive, and Crimea, annexed in 2014.
At the end of last month, with Russian troops and pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) forces from the Donbas region effectively taking control of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces are said to be making their final stand at the Azovstal Works in downtown.