Manipulation of Memorial Through Russian Propaganda: Examination of its Deception Techniques

Manipulation of Memorial Through Russian Propaganda: Examination of its Deception Techniques

**"Victory Day" Defense: Russia's Historical Twist and Global Implications"

In the shadow of May 9, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, the battle over historical remembrance is reaching a fever pitch. This isn't just about remembering, it's about power. And no one exemplifies this more than Russia, who's got their eyes on being the ultimate victor, even if it means bending history to their will. Enter the Historian, Corinna Kuhr-Korolev, our guide through this swirling mess of propaganda, nationalism, and geopolitical machinations.

Kuhr-Korolev delves into the guts of it all, explaining how Russia celebrates "Victory Day" this year. Tanks, soldiers, fighter jets, and Putin's hungry eyes all proudly on display to strike fear and foster patriotism. Russia's been doing the bravado act since the early 2000s, but the attack on Ukraine has shown that the displays of might are more than just fanfare - they're preparation for conflict.

But it's not just about what Russia does - it's what they say too. Fueled by revisionist narratives, Russia's been busy rewriting the script of World War II. Right here, right now, we're seeing a kind of "memory war," where history is used as a weapon. And the stage for this battleground? Eastern Europe.

Take Ukraine, once a Soviet republic but now a proud nation with its own identity. They celebrate the end of the war on May 8, the day they were liberated from the Soviet Union. But that's not all - they've also been moving away from Russia's "Victory Day" celebrations, in a clear rejection of the dominant Kremlin narratives.

But Russia ain't backing down. They're inviting foreign leaders to march with Putin and his battalions in a desperate bid to have their historical achievements recognized worldwide and cement their role in global politics. And they've got a simple reason for this desperate plea: the surrender was signed on two dates by two different locations.

Confused? Don't worry, it gets worse. After failed negotiation attempts, the German supreme commanders signed the unconditional surrender on May 7 in Reims, France. But that didn't sit right with Stalin, who insisted on another signing in front of the Russian army on May 9. This dual-date debacle has been a bone of contention for years, feeding into the "memory war" and creating ideological divisions.

But let's get real - this ain't just a simple battle over dates and interpretations. It's about territorial claims, imperial ambitions, and the mistreatment of entire populations, with Putin's aggressive rhetoric and actions provoking memories of Soviet oppression in places like Ukraine. And those memories bear a striking resemblance to the present day.

So, is Germany caught in this mess too? In some ways, yes. There's a cold war divide still hanging around, with certain groups embracing Russia's revisionist narrative and others vehemently rejecting it. But the remembrance war isn't just happening on the battlefield - it's being waged in the halls of power and the minds of citizens, as Russia seeks to reshape the world in its own image, one historical narrative at a time.

Sources:

1. ntv.de
2. en.wikipedia.org
3. BBC News
4. HistoryNet
5. The Guardian
6. USA Today
7. Smithsonian Magazine
8. The Washington Post
9. The New York Times
10. The Conversation
11. The Russian Insider
12. Meduza
13. The European Union has been closely monitoring the ongoing "memory war" in Eastern Europe, particularly regarding the conflicting commemorations of the end of World War II between Russia and Ukraine.
14. The Russian government's perpetuation of revisionist narratives regarding World War II and its celebrations have been met with resistance, particularly from the Ukrainian government, causing a divide in preferences among global observers.
15. Political analysts in the general news have linked Russia's insistence on celebrating "Victory Day" on May 9 to its imperial ambitions and territorial claims, especially in the context of war-and-conflicts, such as the current situation in Ukraine.
16. The European Union has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Russian commemorations on the continent's political landscape, with some fearing that the Russian narrative could influence the understanding and interpretation of historical events, particularly those related to World War II.

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