Kremlin bans foreign media from covering May 9 parade in Moscow
Red Square in Moscow (photo: Getty Images)
Kremlin revoked accreditation for foreign press for the May 9 parade in Moscow. Only Russian media will cover the event, Der Spiegel reports.
According to the outlet, the Kremlin withdrew previously issued work permits by phone. Refusal was received not only by Spiegel's editorial office, but also by several other major foreign media outlets, including ARD, ZDF, Sky, AFP agency, Italian channel Rai, and Japanese NHK.
The Kremlin official explained the reason for the decision to Spiegel: "The format of parade coverage was changed due to the current situation. Therefore, foreign media outlets that had already received accreditation are no longer allowed."
Media representatives were informed that now "only Russian media are allowed."
As Der Spiegel emphasizes, this is the first case at the May 9 parade when foreign media first received accreditation from the Kremlin, but later had it revoked.
What is known about the parade in Moscow
This year, Russia will mark the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II in a shortened format.
It also became known that the military parade in Moscow on May 9 will take place without the traditional display of armored vehicles. Only marching military columns will pass through Red Square.
Several foreign leaders will attend the show, but most of them are from unrecognized entities or post-Soviet space, including the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
In addition, mobile operators sent messages to Moscow residents warning that from May 5 to May 9, there may be disruptions in mobile internet and SMS services.
Meanwhile, in annexed Crimea, Russian authorities decided not to hold a military parade and other mass events on May 9.
At least 15 regions of Russia also officially refused to hold Victory Day parades.
