The letter from veterans calls for Putin to "take a difficult but, as we see it, fair decision to hold the military parade on another date." Sergei Kiselyov/Moskva News Agency
Moscow Times/AFP: Russian Veterans Urge Putin to Postpone WWII Parade Over Virus
Russian veterans on Wednesday urged President Vladimir Putin to postpone a military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II, due to the coronavirus risk to participants.
Russia has so far not dropped plans to hold a massive parade with thousands of troops marching through Red Square on May 9, despite a national lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic and a ban on large public events.
Before the pandemic, world leaders including France's Emmanuel Macron were expected to attend the parade that was set to last an hour and a half and include 15,000 troops and the latest missile systems.
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Update: Victory Parade to be held later this year, senate speaker says (TASS)
Previous Post: Will Russia Cancel It's Massive Victory Day Parade And Celebrations On May 9? (April 6, 2020).
WNU Editor: What a difference a few weeks make. Last month I was on a Moscow radio program with a few others where I pushed for a postponement of this year's 75th anniversary of the Victory Parade. Living in Canada I knew first hand what this pandemic was doing, how dangerous it is, and why celebrations like a massive parade or sporting events should be postponed. Needless to say, the host and the guests of this program, followed by the callers, chewed me up. This morning I was back on this program, with the same guests, and a humbled host who admitted that I was right. But I take no joy in this. The pandemic has now engulfed Russia, and the cases, deaths, and economic impact is growing. And as for this year's Victory Day parade and celebrations. Much to my relief, I was told that it is going to be delayed to a later date.
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