[우크라 침공] As Victory Day approaches, tensions rise... Kiiwu Mayor "Stay Home"

“After occupying the central city of Luhansk Oblast, I want to promote it as a great victory.”

Mayor of Kiiu, Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko

[키이우 AP 연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지]

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Eui-rae = As the anniversary of the victory over Russia approaches on May 9, tensions are rising again in Ukraine.

It is a prospect that Russia can abandon the term ‘special military operation’ that Russia has adhered to during the process of invasion of Ukraine and declare an all-out war on Victory Day even for the wife of Russia.

According to CNN on the 7th (local time), Kiiu Mayor Vitali Klicichko urged citizens to stay at home on the 8th and 9th ahead of Victory Day.

Klitschko, the mayor of Kiiwu, said on social media that he would not impose an official curfew in Kiiwu, but that there would be no events on that day and that city patrols would be strengthened.

“If someone wants to make a wreath, they can do it personally, but always be careful and follow the wartime security rules,” he said.

Russia celebrates Victory Day to commemorate the day the former Soviet Union defeated the Nazi regime in Germany on May 9, 1945 and won World War II.

Mayor Klitschko said, “Do not ignore the air strike warning and avoid yourself immediately.” .

**Black smoke rising from Donbas, Ukraine**

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Tensions are also escalating in eastern Ukraine, where Russia’s onslaught continues.

“Russia desperately wants to occupy the Luhansk Oblast in order to declare a ‘great victory’ on Victory Day,” Serhii Heidei, commander of the Luhansk Regional Army, told Telegram.

He said, “Russian forces especially want to occupy Severodonetsk, the central city of Luhansk Oblast,” he said.

Severodonetsk, an important industrial center in eastern Ukraine, has been heavily bombarded by Russian troops in recent weeks. However, Ukrainian forces still remain in and out of the city to defend it.

Heidey denied allegations that Russia had captured Rubizne in Luhansk, saying, “In fact, they can’t move anymore. Our National Guard is still there and is repulsing all enemy attacks.”

On the 2nd, CNN broadcast, citing Western officials, observed that Russia could mobilize its reserve forces as it officially declared war by abandoning the term special military operation.

Two days later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the possibility of declaring an all-out war on the Victory Day at a press conference, saying it was “absurd”.