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EXPLAINER: Why Victory Day in Russia is different this year

FILE - Russian self-propelled artillery vehicles, tanks and military vehicles roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square to attend a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 4, 2022. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian servicemen stand near a painting of a Ukrainian woman holding a Soviet-era red flag in territory under the government of the Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine, April 30, 2022. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - People look at a replica of the Victory banner fluttering in the wind over the central square in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1, 2022. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Vladimir Kapitonovin, 98, a WWII veteran and former military pilot, gestures while speaking to a group of foreign journalists with a red flag, a replica of the Victory banner in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1, 2022. The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that Russia celebrates on May 9 is the country's most important holiday. This year it has special meaning amid the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" aimed to rid the country of alleged "neo-Nazis" — a false accusation derided by the West. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2021. The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that Russia celebrates on May 9 is the country's most important holiday. This year it has special meaning amid the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" aimed to rid the country of alleged "neo-Nazis" — a false accusation derided by the West. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE - Armed Russian servicemen stand atop their military vehicles near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world, in Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia region, in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1, 2022. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech during the Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi defeat in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (Ramil Sitdikov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, holds a portrait of his father Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, in front of him, as he walks among other people carrying portraits of relatives who fought in World War II, during the Immortal Regiment march through Red Square celebrating 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 9, 2019. The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that Russia celebrates on May 9 is the country's most important holiday. This year it has special meaning amid the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" aimed to rid the country of alleged "neo-Nazis" — a false accusation derided by the West. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu leave Red Square after the Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi defeat in Moscow, Russia on June 24, 2020. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (Yekaterina Shtukina/Sputnik Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE - A Russian military Topol M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2019. The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that Russia celebrates on May 9 is the country's most important holiday. This year it has special meaning amid the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" aimed to rid the country of alleged "neo-Nazis" — a false accusation derided by the West. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a military parade marking 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia on Thursday, May 9, 2019. The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that Russia celebrates on May 9 is the country's most important holiday. This year it has special meaning amid the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" aimed to rid the country of alleged "neo-Nazis" — a false accusation derided by the West. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian troops march during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2019. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to attend the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 74 years since the victory in WWII in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2019. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - Russian military vehicles roll down Red Square Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 7, 2019. Some in the West think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Victory Day on May 9 when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II to officially declare that war is underway in Ukraine and announce a mobilization _ the claim rejected by the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File)