Putin says virus peak has passed, orders WWII parade in June

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia has passed its peak of coronavirus infections and orders a World War II victory parade postponed by the pandemic to be held next month.

The postponement of the May 9 Victory Day parade was a huge blow to Putin, who had hoped to gather world leaders to watch troops march on Red Square to celebrate 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on the epidemiological situation in the country, via teleconference call at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on May 22, 2020. (Alexey NIKOLSKY / Sputnik / AFP)

But with the number of new coronavirus cases declining steadily in Russia, Putin tells Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to reschedule the parade for June 24.

After peaking in mid-May at more than 11,000 new cases per day, the number of daily infections has dropped below 9,000.

— AFP