Russia is restricting mobile internet in the run-up to Victory Day on Friday. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, this action is necessary to guarantee the security of the military parade in Moscow.
“Our military and secret services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the Great Victory can occur in a calm, stable and peaceful manner,” Peskov said. This is necessary because of the “bad neighbourhood” Russia is in, a reference to the neighbouring country of Ukraine.
On Friday, dozens of heads of state will come to Moscow for the parade, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping. President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral ceasefire for the days surrounding it and hopes that Ukraine will adhere to it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly responded that he did not want to participate in Putin’s “play.” He proposed an immediate 30-day ceasefire.