Several Russian actions in recent days, along with an upcoming celebration that is culturally important in the country, indicate that Russia will escalate its invasion of Ukraine in the near future, says an expert at Fox News Digital. Rebekah Koffler, a former Russia-based DIA intelligence officer and author of “Putin’s Playbook: Russian Secret Plan to Defeat America,” told Fox News Digital Friday that May 9, the day Russia celebrates victory over of Germany in World War II, is a date on which Putin feels pressured to achieve some kind of victory in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin uses state media to spread the Kremlin message. (Alexei Nikolsky / Sputnik / AFP via Getty Images) RUSSIA TO MOBILIZE 60,000 RESERVES IN EASTERN UKRAINE: SENIOR DEFENSE “This is the 77th anniversary of what the Russians call the Great Patriotic War, which is what the West calls World War II,” Koffler explained. “It’s a huge holiday and they usually have a huge military parade where they show off all their latest weapons technology. I’m just looking forward to it [Putin] will do everything possible to claim a victory, whether he can achieve it or not. “There is a lot of pressure to continue this tradition.” Kofler added that the Russian government is using the holidays as time to strategically advance its military and that the show of strength is important to Putin in terms of his legacy. HOW BAD IS THE FIGHT AGAINST DIFFERENCE IN RUSSIA? A Ukrainian soldier poses with a Russian beret pulled from a damaged Russian military vehicle with his weapon at Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, April 2, 2022. (AP Photo / Vadim Ghirda) Professor’s defense analyst Michael Clark agreed with this assessment in a recent interview, saying that “all the information shows that Putin is desperate to get something out of this war in time for May 9.” Kofler also explained that a recent quote from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov shows that Russia has an idea of ​​when and how to end the conflict. Peshkov he said in an interview with Sky News that the operation of the Russian Federation “will achieve its goals or will result in talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in the coming days, in the near future.” Peshkov added that, from now on, “the operation continues and the goals are achieved.” Koffler says the comment suggests Russia has a plan for when it will have to end the conflict and sends a message that the Kremlin is counting on a “crossroads” of military strategy and negotiation strategy soon. In this photo provided by the Presidential Press Office of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the center, walks before a meeting with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 1, 2022. (Ukrainian Press Office Presidential Press via AP) In addition, Koffler pointed out a recent one comment by Russian Security Council Vice President Dmitry Medvedev, who suggested that Western sanctions against Russia could be interpreted as “international aggression.” Medvedev suggested that, therefore, Russia has the right to individual and collective defense against this attack in accordance with international law. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Kofler told Fox News Digital that the comment could indicate that Russia was preparing for a “massive” escalation of the war that could be “catastrophic.” Koffler estimates that the escalation could come in the form of a catastrophic air raid or a full-scale attack on Odessa, an area Putin has long wanted and which could cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea. The Odessa region, sometimes referred to as New Russia, reminiscent of the time of Catherine the Great, would be a “huge” acquisition of Putin’s legacy, Koffler explained, adding that controlling that area would allow Putin to claim a significant victory even though his primary goal of overthrowing Kyiv was not achieved. “This timetable is important to them,” Koffler said. “We are going to experience an escalation, a final push.”