Pro-putinovski skup povodom osme godišnjice ruske aneksije Krima održava se danas na stadionu Lužnjiki u Moskvi, gdje je održano i finale Svjetskog prvenstva u nogometu 2018. godine.

Huge crowd gathered at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow to attend “Crimean Spring” event where Putin is expected to speak today. Multiple reports of students and workers of state enterprises bussed in. Baza reported that any symbols “representing Ukraine and the West” are banned. pic.twitter.com/H2HnCL51qH

— Mary Ilyushina (@maryilyushina) March 18, 2022

Stadion je ispunjen ljudima koji mašu ruskim zastavama. Dopisnik Financial Timesa Max Seddon javlja da izvještaji govore da se državni službenici autobusima dovoze na stadion.

Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, which hosted the World Cup final in 2018, is packed out for a pro-war rally on the anniversary of Russia’s Crimea annexation.

Lots of reports of state employees being bussed in. They’re watching a video with Ukrainian flags being thrown to the ground pic.twitter.com/fIKEzD5WnV

— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 18, 2022

Nalog za dolazak dobili su i studenti. Na društvenim mrežama objavljene su upute koje su primili: “Tko ode isplatit će mu se”. Poručuje im se da ponesu ruske zastave, slova “Z” na odjeći li kao simbol, kakve transparente da nose…

Na dnešní koncert v Lužnikách posílají studenty, když půjdou, dostanou zápočet. V čem jít a co mít – vlajky Ruska jakýchkoli rozměrů, písmena Z, na oblečení nebo jako symbol, tranparenty atd. s texty které jsou popsány níže, vlajky organizací, ale ty ať jsou malé, trikolory atd. pic.twitter.com/BwfhEsDU9B

— Roman M🐦 (@Fbeyeee) March 18, 2022

“Stavili su nas u autobus i doveli ovdje”, rekla je jedna žena za televizijske kamere.

“They packed us into a bus and drove us here,” one woman tells @SotaVision pic.twitter.com/TrRgIRCMZg

— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 18, 2022

Neki pak odlaze sa stadiona i prije nego li je program počeo. Poništili su karte i pokupili rublje pa ne namjeravaju ostati. Svejedno, prema snimkama s mjesta događaja stadion je ispunjen do posljednjeg mjesta.

People in Moscow are leaving the pro-war rally at Luzhniki Stadium already. Before the event has even started. (They got their tickets punched, so they can split now.) pic.twitter.com/Nsu5U5ZEcf

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) March 18, 2022

Okupljena masa gleda video na kojem se ukrajinska zastava baca na zemlju. Očekuje se da će im se obratiti i ruski predsjednik Vladimir Putin.

A Pro-Kremlin rally to mark the 8th anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea is about to take place at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Reuters and others have reported that state employees have been pressured to attend the event pic.twitter.com/rAtYA78Hxq

— Pjotr Sauer (@PjotrSauer) March 18, 2022

Na društvenim mrežama postoje postovi koji reklamiraju današnji skup u Lužnjikiju. Ljudima koji dođu obećano je 500 rubalja (oko 30 kuna) i kuhana hrana.

meantime, @AvtozakLIVE dug up a social media post advertising today's rally at Luzhniki. The post offers people 500 rubles to attend (plus hot food). pic.twitter.com/bijyefJXrL

— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) March 18, 2022

Drugi oglasi pak nude samo 300 rubalja (oko 20 kuna), premda neki oglasi idu toliko daleko da nude i 1.400 rubalja (oko 90 kuna).

The vast majority of the crowds- gathering at Luzhniki Stadium – are being paid. This advert is offering 300 RUB. I've seen reports of payments up to 1,400 RUB. Apparently most senior Kremlin figures won't be attending for 'feat of terrorist attack' pic.twitter.com/GwSMeQfmAR

— D.Emery (@DemeryUK) March 18, 2022

Organizatori tvrde da će se na samom stadionu okupiti oko 100.000 ljudi, dok se u okolici očekuje njih još 400.000.

Организаторы митинга в Лужниках утверждают, что на стадионе должны собраться 100 тысяч человек, а рядом — ещё 400 тысяч. pic.twitter.com/CWZwwyN4Dz

— The Insider (@the_ins_ru) March 18, 2022

Polina Gagarina, nekoć ruska natjecateljica na Eurosongu, izvela je “Kukušku” sovjetskog rock benda iz 80-tih Kino. Bend je inače poznat po antiratnim pjesmama.

Polina Gagarina, once a Russian Eurovision contestant, absolutely butchering “Cuckoo” by the brilliant Soviet 80s rock band Kino. Nobody must have told her they were known for their *anti-war* songs pic.twitter.com/vpyjTPfbg1

— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 18, 2022