Kremlin denies plans to announce mobilization on May 9

Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov assures that Russia will not announce mobilization or officially declare war on Ukraine on May 9 when the country celebrates Victory Day in WWII and plans to hold a military parade in Moscow. Such plausible Kremlin plans have previously been reported by Western and Ukrainian intelligence.

Peskov stated this on May 4, while answering questions from journalists.

Asked whether to believe media reports about the looming mobilization in Russia.

"No, it's not worth it. It is not true. This is nonsense," the spokesman said.

When asked what the probability is that Putin will officially declare war on Ukraine on that date, Peskov added: "None. I have already answered this question. This is nonsense."

The Kremlin continues to call the war waged against Ukraine a "special operation."

Putin's plans for May 9

CNN, citing Western officials, writes that Putin will use the symbolic meaning and propaganda value of May 9 as "Victory Day" to declare a military achievement in Ukraine and/or a serious escalation of hostilities.

Officials claim one of the scenarios is to officially declare war on Ukraine, which will also allow for the official mobilization of reserves throughout the Russian Federation.

Other options for May 9 include annexing the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts in eastern Ukraine, stepping up the offensive on Odesa, or declaring full control over the strategic Donbas city of Mariupol.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate under the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov also recently maintained that on Victory Day on May 9, Russia is preparing to openly declare the mobilization of people for war against Ukraine.