Russia's Victory Day organizing committee asks government not to invite elderly veterans to 75th anniversary parade

Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has asked the country’s executive cabinet not to issue invitations to anyone over 65 years old for the 75th-anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. The guests excluded will include all living veterans of the war. Interfax confirmed the official’s request after reports of its existence appeared on social media.

Kobyakov, who leads the organizing committee for the Victory Day parade, explained that older guests will not be invited due to the spread of COVID-19; they are at an increased risk of complications from the illness.

The Putin administration confirmed that Kobyakov’s request had been submitted to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s government.

According to Znak.com, this year’s Victory Day celebrations will be postponed from May 9 to June 24 due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. RBC, however, has reported that the new date for the parade will be September 3, and Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has discussed cancelling the event altogether or moving it into an alternative format.