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Putin postpones Victory Day Parade as Covid-19 throws spanner in the works for 75th anniversary celebrations Putin postpones Victory Day Parade as coronavirus concerns rule out celebrations on 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat
(32 minutes later)
Holding the planned massive commemoration of the 75th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany would be too risky with the coronavirus still unchecked, President Vladimir Putin said, announcing that events will be postponed. Holding planned commemorations of the 75th anniversary of Soviet Russia’s World War Two victory over Nazi Germany, across the country, would be too risky with Covid-19 spreading nationwide, President Vladimir Putin has said.
The anniversary on May 9 was expected to be a major date in Russia, with a military parade and other public events planned throughout the country. However, with Covid-19 spreading at an increasing pace, holding mass gatherings three weeks hence would be too great a risk to public health, Putin said on Thursday. As a result, he has postponed the events until after the current coronavirus crisis has eased. The celebrations on May 9 were expected to be a major date in Russia, with military parades and other public gatherings planned throughout the country, and world leaders set to descend on Moscow.
However, proceeding under the cloud of coronavirus would be too great a risk to public health, Putin acknowledged on Thursday.
“The coronavirus-related risks do not give me the right to be preparing for the [V-Day] celebrations,” Putin said, at the beginning of the Russian Security Council meeting.“The coronavirus-related risks do not give me the right to be preparing for the [V-Day] celebrations,” Putin said, at the beginning of the Russian Security Council meeting.
He added that he’s instructing the Defense Minister and local authorities to “postpone preparations for the military parade on Red Square and regional parades.”He added that he’s instructing the Defense Minister and local authorities to “postpone preparations for the military parade on Red Square and regional parades.”
While giving no new date for V-Day celebrations, the president gave an assurance that they will take place this year.While giving no new date for V-Day celebrations, the president gave an assurance that they will take place this year.
Putin’s move came the day after veterans’ groups asked for the Moscow parade to rescheduled. All of Russia’s surviving WW2 heroes are now over 90-years-old, and in the demographic most vulnerable to Covid-19. 
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