Russia May 9 Victory Day: Why is the day so significant to Putin and his ambitions?

An "all-out war" initiative would potentially allow Putin to call up conscripts and deploy reserves to the field as he pushes to stabilize his control of the Donbas region.

Cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, April 28. (AP/Dmitri Lovetsky) Russian self-propelled artillery vehicles, tanks and military vehicles roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, April 28. (A) Self-propelled artillery vehicles Msta-S drive past the Winter Palace during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, April 28. (AP/Dmitri Lovetsky) A Russian self-propelled artillery vehicle and military vehicles roll along Tverskaya street toward Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, April 28. (AP) Russian military vehicles move on Dvortsovaya Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Saint Petersburg on April 28, 2022. Russia will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images) (OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

"Local authorities will restrict movement in event areas to facilitate rehearsals for the event," the notice said. "In the past, there have been heightened police presence surrounding these events.  Given the ongoing tensions, U.S. citizens should avoid large public gatherings. Smaller Victory Day events are expected throughout Russia. The embassy may not always be aware of the exact time and place of these events in advance."