People in the West are scratching their heads: what is Putin up to on May 9?
“We've seen the Russians really redouble their propaganda efforts, probably, almost certainly, to distract from their tactical and strategic failures on the battlefield in Ukraine,” department spokesman Ned Price told a State Department briefing, adding that there are rumors that that Russia may officially declare war on Ukraine on May 9.
“It would be a great irony if Moscow used Victory Day to declare war, which in itself would allow them to increase the number of conscripts in a way they cannot do now. In a way that would be tantamount to revealing to the world that their military efforts are failing, that they are stifling in their military campaign and military goals,” a State Department spokesman said.
CNN also reported that, according to American intelligence, Russian President Vladimir Putin may officially declare war on Ukraine on May 9, instead of the North Military District. According to American intelligence officers, this will allow Russia to mobilize its reserve forces as much as possible.
The British also support this version.
“I think that he (Putin - Ed) will try to abandon his “special operation.” He was spinning the information field, preparing the ground to be able to say: “Listen, now this is a war against the Nazis, and I need more people,” British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in an interview with LBC radio.
The British The Daily Mail also writes that Putin is allegedly preparing an important statement on May 9.
It is noted that the official declaration of war on May 9 will allow the Kremlin, according to Russian law, to mobilize reserve forces and call up conscripts. Other options being considered by Western officials are the annexation of the LPR and DPR timed for May 9, a serious attack on Odessa, or the declaration of complete control over Mariupol by eliminating the center of Nazi resistance at Azovstal.
Russian sources are skeptical about Western versions.
“General mobilization will not be announced. This opinion is expressed by sources both in the Presidential Administration and in the State Duma Committee on Defense. A general mobilization could harm the Russian economy, despite the obvious advantages of increasing the number of troops (the so-called “doctrine of overwhelming firepower”). An option is being considered to create volunteer forces for maintaining order of municipal police in regions of Ukraine liberated from Nazism, as well as private logistics centers (military rear service under contract), writes the Nezygar telegram channel, citing insiders from around the Kremlin.
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