Russia has scheduled a military display and other ‘ceremonial events’ in Mariupol on 9 May, according to Ukraine’s intelligence agency.
Sergey Kiriyenko, the de-facto chief of Vladimir Putin’s administration, arrived in Mariupol to manage the preparations. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence refers to him as ‘The Kremlin curator of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory’.
“His main goal is to organise a ‘festive event’ on 9 May. The Russians gave up the idea of holding such an event in Donetsk, there will be no ‘military display’ as well,” the agency says.
Mariupol is to become ‘the centre of festivity’. The Russian army is clearing the streets in Mariupol’s downtown of “rubble, dead bodies and unexploded munitions”.
There is a huge propaganda campaign in the city as well. Vladimir Solovyev, a pro-Putin TV host, and Denis Pushilin, head of the pro-Putin self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ both arrived in Mariupol, according to the agency.
Sergey Shoigu, Russia’s Defence Minister, told the media how the Victory Day preparations were going earlier today. Military parades are scheduled in 28 Russian cities, involving 54 thousand people, around 2400 of weapons and military equipment, as well as over 460 aircraft. He did not, however, mention a military display in Mariupol. The Russian officials are yet to comment on the statements made by Ukraine’s intelligence.