Chris Sampson breaks down Volodymyr Zelensky’s stunning new decree regarding Putin’s Victory Day parade in Moscow — and why the wording of it changes everything.
After days of panic across Russia, airport shutdowns, drone strikes, and Kremlin fear over May 9th, Zelensky announced Ukraine would “allow” the parade to proceed while limiting strikes specifically around Red Square during the event.
At the same time, Ukraine secured a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.
Chris also responds to disinformation claiming Kyiv residents are “fleeing the city,” explains the reality on the ground in Ukraine, and examines how the balance of psychological pressure has shifted from Moscow to Kyiv.
Topics include:
Zelensky’s May 9 decree
Moscow under pressure before Victory Day
Russia’s fear of Ukrainian long-range strikes
Prisoner exchange negotiations
Kremlin propaganda vs reality in Kyiv
Luke Harding’s latest reporting
Why Ukraine increasingly holds the strategic initiative
Recorded from Kyiv.
