in Moscow, final rehearsals looking like a show of force

On Red Square in Moscow (Russia) final preparations, final rehearsal. Everything is precise, everything must be perfect, because more than ever, this year’s military parade is a show of force for the whole world, for the Ukrainian enemy. Very attached to the celebrations of May 9, the day of victory over Nazi Germany, the Russians attend these rehearsals as a family. Some come to show their support for the Russian army, engaged in Ukraine and their words stick to the speech of Vladimir Putin.

“Our army does not try to conquer a territory, we only defend ourselves, that’s all”says a man. “We must pay tribute to our soldiers, we owe them respect, because they ensure the freedom of our country”, said a woman. In the Moscow sky, fighter jets form the letter Z, a symbol of what Vladimir Putin has always called “special operation in Ukraine”. What if the head of the Kremlin took advantage of May 9 to officially declare war on all of Ukraine? This is the fear of Western chancelleries.