Defining ‘war’ with Ukraine and aiming at the West
The previous day, a large-scale suicide bombing drone attack in Kiiuen
About 20 events canceled over fears of attack in Ukraine
Promotion of strengthening support for Ukraine such as EU-G7
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine in February of last year, announced at Russia’s Victory Day ceremony on the 9th, about a year and two months after the invasion, that “a real war has been waged against our country.” For the first time, the invasion situation, which had been referred to as a ‘special military operation’ throughout the war, was officially defined as a ‘war’. There is a prospect that Russia will officially declare ‘war’ to reverse the unfavorable war situation and strengthen its offensive by issuing additional mobilization orders.
President Putin gave a 10-minute speech at the Victory Day ceremony held on Red Square in Moscow, the capital of Russia, and said, “Russia’s enemies want our collapse. They want to destroy our country,” he said. “We have defeated international terrorism, we will defend the people of Donbas, and we will defend our security,” he said.
The invasion of Ukraine was aimed at suppressing Western military expansion and protecting the people of Donbass from neo-Nazism, and the subsequent Western support was defined as a ‘war’.
President Putin made his first appearance on the day after Russian authorities protested the drone attack on the Kremlin on the 2nd, calling it an “attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Putin.”
Analysts say that Russia will formally declare war on President Putin’s speech that day and then impose martial law, drawing the entire country into war mobilization. There are also claims that conscription has already begun in Mariupol, the eastern part of Ukraine, which is occupied by Russia. CNN commented that “President Putin used the victory day to launch another dastardly attack on the West.”
Leaders of former Soviet Union countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Armenia, attended the Victory Day ceremony to show solidarity with Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov showed closeness, saying, “Many countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are celebrating Victory Day, and we are grateful to have attended our event this year.” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also sent a congratulatory message to President Putin on the same day, saying, “In the name of the government and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), I send congratulations on a significant day when the people of Russia (Russia) won a brilliant victory in the Great Patriotic War.” sent
Victory Day is a Russian national holiday commemorating May 9, 1945, when the Soviet Union won the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II. During this year’s Victory Day event, citizens’ “Immortal Regiment” marches and military parades held in about 20 Russian cities were canceled.
The New York Times (NYT) of the United States emphasized that the only tanks on display in Red Square were the T-34 from the former Soviet Union, and there were no modern tanks, and analyzed that “this year’s annual march of military vehicles is characterized by less heavy equipment than in previous years.” did. The fact that Russia held a victory ceremony in a humbler manner than usual is interpreted as a measure to be concerned about the possibility of an attack by Ukraine. The NYT also analyzed that it was concerned that social dissatisfaction with the prolonged war could be revealed if a large number of people gathered at the event.
Russia continues air strikes on Ukraine. The Ukrainian military announced that it had shot down 23 of 25 missiles launched by Russia into the capital, Kyiv. In Kiiu, the largest self-destruct kamikaze drone attack since the invasion of Ukraine took place on the eve of Victory Day.
With anticipation of Ukraine’s counterattack in the spring, Western support for Ukraine is also strengthening. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv on the 9th to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The seven major countries (G7) are pursuing a plan to adopt a separate document to support Ukraine at the G7 summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st. President Zelensky will attend the G7 summit online.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.