What is Victory Day, and why is it so important for Russia?
The victory over Nazi Germany is a source of pride and identity for Russians, as it was a defining moment in their history. Photo: dailyO
After the drone war between Russia and Ukraine for the last few days, Russian cruise missiles exploded in the air over Kyiv on Tuesday (May 9) as tanks and soldiers assembled in Moscow's Red Square to celebrate the Victory Day with fresh attacks on their neighbours.
Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
What's happening?
A day ahead of the Victory Day, Russia launched its biggest swarm of drones for months against Ukraine. According to Reuters, Kyiv's mayor said that Ukraine was targeted by 60 drones of Iranian origin launched by Russia, with 36 aimed at the capital city.
All of them were successfully intercepted and destroyed. However, debris from the drones did strike residential and commercial buildings, causing at least five injuries in the capital.
According to Kyiv, Moscow launched it in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut ahead of Victory Day.
It is a known fact that Russia's calendar has marked May 9, as an important day and Putin celebrates it with a Victory Day parade, which is the most significant day in his calendar. The parade commemorates the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945, which Putin has used to justify his invasion of Ukraine.
Victory Day : A long column of military equipment headed for Red Square pic.twitter.com/4evZoMP2JC
— Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 9, 2023
But Before getting into How the invasion of Ukraine and Victory's Day is linked, here's a quick recap of what is it and a brief story behind it:
Victory Day
- Victory Day is a holiday commemorating the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, and the victory of Allied forces in World War II.
- The war in Europe officially ended on May 8, 1945, when German General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of all German forces at the Allied headquarters in Reims, France.
- However, due to a delay in the communication of the surrender, Soviet forces did not receive the news until the following day, May 9. This is why Victory Day is celebrated on May 9 in Russia and some other former Soviet states. It honours the memory of those who fought and died for their countries and celebrates the hard-won peace that followed the war
- Victory Day was first celebrated in the Soviet Union on May 9, 1945, with a victory parade in Moscow's Red Square. The holiday quickly became an annual tradition.
- Victory Day is a major holiday in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and several other former Soviet states. It is typically marked by military parades, fireworks, and other celebrations.
- In other countries, Victory Day is sometimes observed on different dates. In the United States, for example, Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) is celebrated on May 8.
Why Victory Day is so important for Russia?
Victory Day is extremely important for Russia as it marks the country's greatest military triumph and national unity during World War II. It is estimated that between 27 to 29 million Soviet citizens lost their lives in the war, making it the deadliest conflict in the country's history.
Victory Day is an opportunity for Russians to honour and remember the sacrifices made by their ancestors and pay tribute to the heroic efforts of the Red Army and the Soviet people in defeating Nazi Germany.
The victory over Nazi Germany is a source of pride and identity for Russians, as it was a defining moment in their history. The Great Patriotic War, as it is known in Russia, left an indelible mark on the country, and Victory Day remains a symbol of the resilience and strength of the Russian people in the face of adversity.
Now, clearly, Putin uses Victory Day as his symbol to showcase the power of his military to woo the public.
Victory Day and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia both are related to Russia's desire to assert its power and influence in the region, as well as to its historical identity and perceived threats to its national security.