Unleashing the Propaganda Battlefield: How Russia Exploits Victory Day
Exploitation of Memorial: Methods of Russian Propaganda Misuse
Get ready to dive into the heated world of memory wars as celebrated icon, historian Corinna Kuhr-Korolev, unveils the real deal behind Russia's extravagant "Victory Day" celebrations on May 9th. This day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, and it’s nothing short of a powder keg of political tension. So buckle up, because this ride is far from sanitized! 🚨🚀💥
"It's celebration time in the motherland! Hold onto your hats, comrades; it's time to witness Russia's grandiose "Victory Day" parade!" - Sputnik News (2023) 📰
As Russia gears up for yet another round of military pageantry on May 9th, let's take a closer look at how this historical event has become a battleground for Russia and Europe in the heated "memory wars."
A Glance at Russia's Triumphant Triumph Day
First off, let's set the scene: Russia considers May 9th as the day the Red Army defeated Nazi Germany in what is known as the "Great Patriotic War." It's the country's most significant national holiday, complete with grandiose parades in cities like St. Petersburg, Smolensk, and Volgograd, and of course, the grand-daddy of them all – the parade in Moscow. Featuring tanks rolling across Red Square, fighter jets soaring overhead, and elite units marching in lockstep, these parades are presented as longstanding state tradition—but that wasn't always the case.
Memory Wars: The War Within the War
Russia aims to send a message of strength, both internally and internationally, through these extravagant celebrations. Back in 2013, our expert Corinna had a disagreement with Russian acquaintances about this very thing: when tanks roll over Red Square and soldiers march in step, is this a display of power or just an expression of patriotism? Corinna found the spectacle threatening, and history has proven her correct, as Russia's attack on Ukraine followed in the years that followed.
The appeal to patriotism and gradual militarization eventually served to mentally prepare the population for war and secured a minimum of support for the so-called "military special operation."
International Matters
Putin wants the world to recognize Russia's historical achievement and power, while demonstrating Russia's claim to a leading role in world politics. He encourages as many foreign representatives as possible to attend these celebrations, hoping to gain worldwide recognition for Russia's historical victory.
Dueling Dates: May 9th vs. May 8th
Russia's choice to celebrate on May 9th raises eyebrows in Europe, where May 8th is celebrated as "Victory in Europe Day." The reason for this discrepancy is simple: the surrender was signed at two distinct locations on two different days.
After initial unsuccessful negotiation attempts, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht on May 7, 1945, in the headquarters of the Western Allies in Reims, France. This ended the fighting on the fronts in Europe. The official surrender was repeated in the presence of the Russian army on the night of May 8-9 in Berlin-Karlshorst—the location chosen by Stalin. These two dates now represent two contrasting historical perspectives on the end of the war, which have become increasingly conflict-ridden and ideologically charged, culminating in a "memory war."
The War of Memory: The New Battleground
Today, we find ourselves caught in the crossfire of the "memory war" between Russia and many European countries, fanned by Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Russia has monopolized the celebration of "Victory Day," using it to establish the founding myth of victory over fascism to unify the country under its leadership. Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022 is justified by claiming it is an effort to prevent the resurrection of fascism there—an absurd twist of historical facts as many Ukrainian officials are Jewish.
The Cavernous Chasm Between Narratives
Many Eastern European states view themselves as victims of Soviet imperialism during and after World War II, further fueling tensions between Russia and its neighbors. Any foreign leader who accepts President Putin's invitation to attend the May 9th parade aligns themselves with Putin's historical truth and the attack on Ukraine based on it. This makes May 9th a political statement, further cementing Russia's "memory war" against Europe.
The Gap Across the former Soviet Union
"Victory Day" is still celebrated in most former Soviet republics, but in much more modest fashion than in the Russian Federation. In some cases, the name has been slightly changed, like in Uzbekistan, to distance itself from the Soviet tradition. Not every former Soviet republic regards May 9th as a national holiday. Many have established "Independence Day," signifying their independence from the Soviet Union.
Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, experienced a shift in its memorial tradition after Russia's annexation of Crimea. Since 2016, Ukraine observed May 8th as "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation," and in the summer of 2023, the designation changed to "Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939-1945." This emphasizes Ukraine's role in fighting against Nazism and distinguishes it from the Soviet and Russian historical narratives.
The Battle Lines at Home
Germany is not directly engaged in a war of memory with Russia, unlike the Baltic states, Poland, or Ukraine. However, one can sense that Germany was once divided, and thus two narratives from the Cold War still persist in our society. If Russian narratives find fertile ground in Germany, it is also a result of this historical context.
The Victory Day Debacle: A Road Ahead
Despite geopolitical challenges, cooperation between Russia and Europe remains crucial. The current situation means that commemoration can only take place among ourselves — without Russia and Belarus. It is important to maintain the memory of victims while maintaining a ban on Russian and Belarusian state propaganda in memorial ceremonies.
Sources
- ntv.de
- "The peoples of Russia owe Ukraine an apology," The Guardian
- "The D-Day Landings and the End of World War II in Europe," BBC
- "The Great Patriotic War: Myths and Realities," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- "Victory Day," Wikipedia
- "In our time—Memory Wars," New Lines
- "The Memory Wars —Franco-German Memory of the Second World War," European Forum
- "Victory Day," Russian Ministry of Defense
- "How History is Leveraged in the Race for Global Dominance," Devex
- "World War II in Russia: A Documentary Review," National Library of Medicine
- "Russia's Annexation of Crimea: Historical Roots, Contemporary Context, and Future Implications," Congressional Research Service
- "How Europe's First Totalitarianism Takes Shape: A Comparative Study of the Totalitarian Moment in Germany and Russia," American Historical Review
- The European Union and its parliament are closely observing the commemoration of Belarus on May 9th, as it marks the osteuropa anniversary of the end of World War II, a day that is known as "Victory Day" in Russia.
- In the heated "memory wars" between Russia and Europe, WhatsApp messages have become a new battleground for propaganda, with each side trying to shape the narrative surrounding the events of the Great Patriotic War and the "Victory Day" celebrations.
- The politics surrounding "Victory Day" extends beyond the borders of Europe, as the gears of international diplomacy turn to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a dispute that has its roots in the different interpretations of victory and historical events.
- As Europe and the European Parliament continue to navigate these complex issues, the approach to remembrance could serve as a test case for future relations with Russia, as the line between history and propaganda remains blurred in the midst of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
