JAKARTA - The Kremlin said on Thursday that extra security measures were being implemented for Russian President Vladimir Putin, in anticipation of Ukraine attacking the May 9 celebrations marking the anniversary of victory in World War II or 'Victory Day'.
The Kremlin also said it would start a two-day ceasefire with Ukraine starting midnight, intended to protect the parade.
Moscow is known to have warned foreign diplomats in Kyiv that they would attack the Ukrainian capital if Ukraine targeted the May 9 anniversary.
"Yes, we are talking about May 8 and 9," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, when asked by AFP whether the ceasefire would take effect from midnight.
When asked about Ukraine's May 6 ceasefire - a counter-offer from Kyiv, which has responded to Moscow's demands to stop fighting for the May 9 parade as "an incredible cynicism" - Peskov said: "There is no Russian reaction to this."
Peskov said Russian security services were preparing for the event on Saturday, "especially in light of the threat of terrorism" from Ukraine.
Kyiv has been known to attack Russian cities with drones as far as the Ural Mountains in recent days.
Peskov also said the internet blackout - which has caused concern for Russian citizens - in Moscow was "necessary."
"This is done to ensure the safety of residents, which is the absolute priority," he said.
Russia has scaled back the May 9 parade - a commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 - this year as Ukraine's offensive deep into Russian territory deepens.
For the first time in almost 20 years, there will be no military equipment in the Victory Day parade.
Last year, Ukraine sought to disrupt the event by launching a barrage of explosives-laden drones on Moscow, causing travel chaos, with thousands of flights cancelled or delayed.
Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone attacks in recent weeks, hitting Russian oil facilities and luxury skyscrapers in Moscow.
Ukraine calls it a fair response to the barrage of hundreds of drones Russia fires every night into its cities.
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