Russia has revoked the press accreditations of foreign journalists for today's Victory Day parade on Red Square, barring international media from covering the event and allowing only Russian outlets to attend, in what is the first mass withdrawal of previously approved accreditations in the country's recent history.
According to Der Spiegel, the Russian government informed the publication by telephone that its accreditation had been cancelled. Other international outlets that received the same response include Germany's ARD and ZDF, Sky News, Agence France-Presse, Italy's RAI and Japan's NHK. Kremlin representatives said "the method of coverage has changed due to the current situation" and that "only Russian media will be permitted to cover the event."
Residents of Moscow and St Petersburg reported widespread disruptions to mobile phone networks and internet services, with authorities citing security reasons. The parade in St Petersburg will also take place without military hardware on display, as in Moscow.
The sweeping security measures come in response to threats by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to send drones over Red Square during the parade.
Lavrov's warning
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used a wreath-laying ceremony at the Russian Foreign Ministry to issue a stark warning to the West. "I want to say with absolute sincerity and responsibility: if what the reborn Nazis of the West are planning through Ukraine comes to pass, there will be no mercy for them," he said. Lavrov accused the West of supporting what he called "the Nazi regime in Kyiv" and said Russia would eliminate every security threat emanating from Ukrainian territory. He also attacked Europe for what he described as revisionism.
