Russia is celebrating the 77th anniversary of its victory over Hitler’s Germany on Monday, with President Vladimir Putin set to make a highly anticipated speech on developments in its war against Ukraine. There will also be a military parade on Moscow’s Red Square to mark the occasion, with around 11,000 soldiers expected to participate, news agency MIA informs.
Tanks and other military equipment will be on display. Eight fighter jets are to form the letter “Z” in the sky, which is the official symbol of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The “Z” stands for the Russian phrase “za pobedu,” or “for victory.”
The Kremlin refers to its invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, as a “special military operation.”
There has been speculation that Putin could order a general or partial mobilization of soldiers on Monday, even though the Kremlin has already rejected this as “nonsense.”
Unlike in previous years, this time no foreign head of state will be a guest at the parade.
