The document signed by the Russian President stated that “September 30 is the day of unification of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, the Zaporizhzhya Region and the Kherson Region with the Russian Federation.”
Appropriate amendments defining a new holiday have been introduced in the law “On the Days of Military Glory and Memorable Dates of Russia.”
On September 30, 2022, Putin and the leaders of the occupied regions signed in the Kremlin Agreement on “Contact with Russia”. This happened even though the Russian army did not control any of these areas 100 percent. The annexation of the territories was preceded by “referendums” condemned by the United Nations – and their legitimacy was only recognized by North Korea and Syria. Putin himself has called for seizing new territory The main achievement of the war With Ukraine.
Deceptive patriots
A day earlier, Russian President’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the Kremlin would certainly celebrate the first anniversary of the annexation of parts of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson oblasts. On Friday, September 29, a march and concert will be held in Red Square under the slogan: “One country, one family, one Russia.”
The Kremlin plans to create the appearance of a mass event using its proven tactics Pay extras to create an artificial crowd. Russian authorities hope that this initiative will attract people from areas far from Moscow, as well as students and budget employees.
Participants will be able to enter Red Square based on lists and after presenting their ID cards.
Celebrations worthy of Putin’s Russia
The celebration program was also published by the Victory Museum. It follows that this is one of the points of the program Festive distribution of Russian passports Young people from the annexed areas.
In addition, “patriotic” concerts with the participation of local artists were announced in Chelyabinsk and Ulyanovsk. People visiting city parks will be directed how to do this Prepare dry food rations and sew army uniforms. It is also planned National military sports game.
United Russia will also organize a flash mob in Yekaterinburg. In addition, the organizers plan to arrange the 400 celebration participants in a formation resembling the number 89 – that is the number of federal entities that have become part of the country since the annexation of four regions of Ukraine. Putin’s quote will also be shown: “Russia’s borders never end anywhere.”
A conscription billboard showing a Russian soldier and the phrase “There is such a profession – to defend the Fatherland” in Moscow, Russia, September 21, 2023.
However, not much will happen in the annexed areas themselves. The occupation authorities in Kherson Oblast announced a set of awards for “active youth” by Governor Volodymyr Saldo and a concert with the participation of artist Akim Abachev and the band Out of Time.
Dmitry Sidorov, Minister of Culture of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, said that “the operational situation does not allow” the organization of mass entertainment events in the republic. He added that this would not be possible in principle until the end of the war.
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