Today is May 8. By the time I publish this post, it may be the 9th or even the 10th. But the post will be about May 9 - Victory Day in Russia. It was and is a big holiday for all Russians. We said that we must remember the past so that something bad does not happen again in the future.
This may sound funny or hypocritical in the current circumstances.
Before the Russian-Ukrainian war, I used to write about Victory Day every year. Those posts together with blog don’t exist any more. So I could repeat some of my thoughts here, but even thoughts are not the same anymore.
Here is a link to last year's blog.
Before the Russian-Ukrainian war in May, I watched Soviet war movies. They were sad, but so patriotic. I sang songs from the movies, songs I never learned, I cried and thought about my two grandfathers and I was proud.
Everything has changed or I should say president Putin changed everything.
Many cities are still getting ready to celebrate. But it all depends on how close they are to the front line, how important their factories are for the military needs and so on.
Moscow is getting ready for the big military parade as usual but unusually there is going to be a big inconvenience. The internet is shut down, people are not allowed to walk by.
Online resource ‘The Record’ stated:
Russian authorities have imposed mobile internet restrictions in Moscow and surrounding regions ahead of Victory Day celebrations, citing security concerns.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the measures could remain in place through May 10, while foreign leaders visit the Russian capital. “These are not outages, but restrictions for understandable reasons,” he said. “We want the glorious Victory Day to be celebrated at the proper level.”
Really?
Well, no Internet and no flight service also.
The S7 Airlines flight from Moscow's Domodedovo Airport to Tomsk, scheduled to depart on May 8 and arrive on the morning of May 9, has been cancelled, according to the Tomsk airport's online flight board.
It was previously reported that due to the drone attack on Moscow on May 7, temporary restrictions were introduced on the arrival and departure of aircraft at Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports. Flight S7 2615, scheduled to arrive in Tomsk on the morning of May 7, arrived more than a day late, and the same flight from Moscow on May 7 was cancelled. According to the Domodedovo Airport website, airlines are still unable to return to their regular schedules - many flights have been cancelled.
What about Tomsk…
From Tomsk Ria news:
Tomsk authorities decided to hold a fireworks display on May 9 in the area of the central embankment.
In 2023, the authorities cancelled it due to the order of the security agencies, and in 2024 – due to its inappropriateness (because of the war).
Also this year, the "Immortal Regiment" march will be organized again from Novosobornaya Square to Lagerny Garden. This event was first held in Tomsk in 2012 - then, on Victory Day, at the parade, city residents stood in line with portraits of their relatives who fought at the front. The idea found a response among millions of residents of different regions of Russia. Over the years, the event has spread throughout the world.
In 2020 and 2021, the event did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the march took place, but in 2023 and 2024, the "Immortal Regiment" was canceled for security reasons. Last year, city residents could individually walk along Lenin Avenue with a photo of a veteran relative.
In 2025, the traditional parade in Tomsk will also take place. Restored military equipment, including a T-34 tank, will take part in it.
Forecasters predict temperatures of up to 18° C in Tomsk on Friday afternoon; light rain will continue throughout the day.
I have got a short video of preparations for the parade.
If I get photos from my friends, I will add them here later.
Happy Victory Day!
https://therecord.media/russia-internet-restrictions-victory-day
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