The official events of the Russian invaders on the occasion of the «Day of Russia» in temporary occupied Kherson and Melitopol gathered only a few dozen local residents. It can be seen on photos and videos of the propaganda media, as reports the Center for Journalistic Investigations.
The rally, organized by collaborators and representatives of the Russian political party «United Russia» in Kherson, took place in the morning of June, 12 in Potemkin Square. The main event, dedicated to the «Day of Russia» with participation of Deputy of Russian State Duma Ihor Kostyukevich and artists of the Russian Guard, was attended by occupants themselves, local collaborators and several dozen Kherson residents.

Collaborator Volodymyr Saldo (left) at the celebration of the «Day of Russia» in Kherson, June 12, 2022
Even fewer people came to the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honor of Soviet spy and NKVD Lieutenant General Pavel Sudoplatov in Melitopol on June 11. As announced by representatives of the local occupation authorities, this event opened official celebration of “the Day of Russia”. However, the event was attended only by fifteen collaborators.
Mariupol residents also ignored events of Russian occupants. Representatives of the «Young Guard of United Russia» and the «Volunteer Company of the Russian Federation» unfolded what they claim is the «biggest» Russian flag in the temporary occupied city. However, only organizers came to this «large scale» action, as demonstrated by photo and video posted by Russian propaganda telegram channels.
Jccupants actively spread announcements of celebrations in their propaganda media, including Kherson «VTV plus» and «Krym 24». But the quality of these announcements caused laughter among users of social networks.
«TV advertising is a separate form of art. All occupants have to do is to put soda machines, hang a newspaper like “Khersonska Pravda” under the glass in the center of the stand, and accept everyone as pioneers», – this is how journalist Sofia Bogutska commented on announcements on TV channel «VTV Plus».
We remind that occupants began distributing Russian passports in Kherson on June 11. According to Russian mass media, they were issued to 23 local residents, including Volodymyr Saldo, the head of the so-called «military civilian administration» of the Kherson oblast.
Material is prepared by non-profit «Information press center» within IWPR project under the support of the European Union and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.