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HEALTH-VIRUS-RUSSIA
Russia past virus peak, to hold WWII parade in June: Putin
MOSCOW, May 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – President Vladimir Putin said
Tuesday that Russia has passed the peak of coronavirus infections and
ordered a postponed World War II victory parade to be held next month.
“According to experts, the peak can be considered passed,” Putin
told Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, ordering him to begin
preparations for the parade marking 75 years since the defeat of Nazi
Germany.
“We will do it on June 24, the day the legendary historic victors’
parade took place in 1945,” Putin said.
Putin had been forced to postpone the massive May 9 parade in
mid-April because of risks from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Russian president said Tuesday that the situation was
stabilising but stressed that all precautions should be taken to hold
the annual Red Square parade next month.
Another popular event usually held on May 9 — the Immortal
Regiment processions that see Russians across the country carry
portraits of relatives who died in World War II — will be held on
July 26, Putin said.
Russian naval bases will also hold traditional naval parades that
day, Putin said.
The postponement of the Victory Day parade was a blow to the
67-year-old Russian president, who had hoped to gather world leaders
to watch thousands of troops march on Red Square.
The pandemic also forced Putin to cancel a key vote in April on
consitutional reforms that would have paved the way for him to retain
power until 2036.
On Monday, Putin made a rare appearance in the Kremlin after
working remotely from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow for
the past few weeks.
Russia on Tuesday recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll
of 174 but said more than 12,000 people had also recovered over the
past 24 hours.
Russia has reported a total of 362,342 cases, the third-highest
number in the world after the United States and Brazil.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1930hrs