Celebration of Military Triumph rather than a Festivity of Peace marked Russia's Victory Day Parade
On Red Square, a show of military might
Standing on Red Square, the cold wind blew, and the ground vibrated under my feet as a cacophony of sounds filled the air. Tanks gracefully lumbered by, their iron tracks clattering menacingly on the ancient cobblestones. Soldiers paraded with purpose, their voices raised in a battle cry, making this celebration feel more like a tribute to war than peace.
The sight of combat drones, weapons that have been at the forefront of Russia's confrontations, being showcased on their launchers was honestly nauseating. It's hard to ignore the connections to the current conflict with Ukraine, where these weapons have sown destruction and despair.
This spectacle wasn't just intimidation; it was a showcase of modern Russia's identity. A country now defined by its military and its history. The glory and the sacrifices of 1945 have been twisted into a tool to reinforce Russia's current narrative and make people believe that success is their birthright.
For many Russians, it was a rallying cry. They cheered as troops who've fought in Ukraine marched by. For those watching in Kyiv and other European capitals, it was a blaring siren that Moscow is not backing down.
As I watched, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Snipers were perched on every rooftop, and security was tight. Even the mobile internet was shut down across the city center to prevent any potential Ukrainian drone attacks, making it impossible for international media to broadcast live transmissions.
When the parade ended, Putin proudly saluted the masses, who erupted in rhythmic shouts of "Rus-si-ya." Another victory for Putin, without a hitch, he departed, no doubt feeling triumphant.
The 2020 Victory Day parade, while not directly involving Ukraine, must be understood in the broader context of subsequent parades being affected by the ongoing conflict. The show of military might, the declaration of Russian might, was loud and clear, even without modern hardware on display due to their deployment in Ukraine. Russia continues to use these events to reinforce its historical greatness, highlighting its military prowess and ideological unity. This identity, forged in wars past, remains a powerful tool in the ongoing struggle for international influence.
- The parade on Red Square, filled with weapons of war and combat drones, serves as a stark reminder of war-and-conflicts, specifically the ongoing one between Russia and Ukraine.
- Ukrainian soldiers, who have experienced the devastating effects of these weapons, might find the parade an unwelcome intrusion into the general-news of their ongoing struggle.
- Despite the interruption and potential tension caused by the parade, Russian citizens welcomed the display of military might as a symbol of their country's political strength, taking it as a sign of their own legacy in war.
- The parade, while not featuring all the modern hardware due to their deployment in Ukraine, represents a continuation of Russia's tradition of using war and conflicts as pillars in shaping its identity and asserting its dominance in politics.
