Tens of thousands of people flocked to the entrances to Red Square in Moscow on Friday, clutching red tickets reading “One country, one family, one Russia,” Sky News reported.

Russians celebrate the annexation of Ukrainian territoriesPhoto: Oleksandr NEMENOV / AFP / Profimedia

The QR code provides gradual access to today’s concert, which marks the anniversary (technically September 30) of Vladimir Putin’s declared “annexation” of four Ukrainian regions over which he neither then nor now has full control.

The Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin will not take the stage tonight.

On Saturday, the president will appear on television to congratulate the nation on what he calls this “reunion.” We are also looking forward to another concert on Saturday night.

Most people here have been advised to come by their companies, Sky News claims.

In Russia, it has been a long-standing tradition since Soviet times when state-owned enterprises take their employees to big patriotic events by bus.

And, of course, the goal of all these promotions is images that will be broadcast on state television throughout the country.

Happy, smiling Russians with flags celebrate the annexation, which has no basis in international law either de jure or even de facto. But what does that matter in this world of smoke and mirrors?