"Victory Day" Unveiled: Russia's Propaganda Machine Exploits Remembrance of WWII
Methods Russian Propaganda Exploits in Manipulating Memorial
Ever since May 8, 1945, the end of World War II in Europe has been commemorated, marking its 80th anniversary this year. Unfortunately, due to the recent tensions, representatives from Russia and Belarus were excluded from the German Bundestag's commemorative event on the Day of Liberation. In an exclusive interview with ntv.de, historian Corinna Kuhr-Korolev sheds light on how this "war of memory" is being fought today and the impact it has on remembrance. "History is being manipulated again," she reveals.
ntv.de: How is Russia celebrating "Victory Day" this year?
In Russia, the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany is celebrated on May 9 as "The Great Patriotic War" - a title given to World War II in Russia. It's the most important national holiday, with grand scale festivities across the nation. Planning began a year in advance, including the development of a unified logo and design guidelines, which are being used throughout the regions. Military parades are held in multiple cities, including St. Petersburg, Smolensk, Volgograd, and military bases.The grandest of these parades takes place in Moscow, featuring tanks, fighter jets, and marching troops - symbols of an eternal tradition, although it wasn't always the case.
Politics Munz on the Military Parade on May 9: "Fear of Attacks - Moscow Shuts Down Mobile Network" Since when has Russia celebrated the day with military parades?
While the date was initially not celebrated in the Soviet Union, it eventually transformed into an official holiday. Military parades on Red Square in Moscow were introduced only during major jubilees in 1965, 1975, 1985, and 1990. After the fall of the Soviet Union, no parades were held in Russia until 1995. During the late 1990s, weapons and military equipment were absent from the Red Square processions. However, since the early 2000s, after Putin assumed power, the parade has been held annually with an increased military show.
What can we expect this year?
Russia intends to convey a message of strength both domestically and internationally through these celebrations. A decade ago, I debated with Russian acquaintances about this: When tanks roll over Red Square and soldiers march in formation, is it a demonstration of power or just an expression of patriotism? I found it intimidating back then, and the events in Ukraine further prove my concerns were well-founded. The appeal to patriotism and gradual militarization unwittingly prepared the population for war and still secures a minimum of support for the so-called "military special operation."
Domestically and Abroad?
Putin welcomes as many foreign representatives as possible to attend these celebrations, hoping for recognition of Russia's historical achievement and political clout worldwide.
The Cause of Double Celebrations?
The signing of unconditional surrender occurred at two different locations on two distinct days due to Stalin's insistence. Generaloberst Alfred Jodl signed the German Wehrmacht's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, in Reims, marking the end of combat on European fronts. The following night, from May 8 to 9, the signing of the official surrender took place in front of the Russian army.
What's the significance of two separate celebrations fighting for dominance?
Historical narratives have become weapons once more, with both sides embracing various interpretations of World War II's conclusion. Europe is divided into two groups: one that follows Russia's perspective, emphasizing the Red Army's crucial role in defeating fascism and providing the foundation for current Russian self-understanding. The other acknowledges the Soviet Union's accomplishments but prioritizes emphasizing that the post-liberation of Eastern European nations was followed by a lack of self-determination.
What followed the liberation for the Eastern European states?
The Baltic states, Poland, and Ukraine underwent persecution, deportations, and oppression as a result of the Hitler-Stalin Pact in 1939/1940-1941 and again following 1944 or 1945. They attribute their current suffering as victims of the Soviet Union's then imperialist policies and view the modern Russian approach as a revival of these imperialistic ambitions. The aggressive rhetoric of Putin and his allies confirms these perceptions, further fueling the ongoing divide.
The extent of the division?
Engaging with Putin’s invitations to the May 9 parade means alignment with Putin's historical truth and the invasion of Ukraine that it supports. The 9th of May serves as a marker, making participation a political statement.
Who celebrates the 9th of May today?
Although "Victory Day" is still celebrated in most former Soviet republics, the festivities are more subdued compared to those in the Russian Federation. In some cases, the name has even been changed slightly to distance itself from the Soviet legacy. Not every nation designates the 9th of May as a national holiday. More commonly celebrated holidays with the “Independence Day” title are prominent in most cases. The Baltic states refrain from observing Victory Day for the previously mentioned reasons.
Ukraine's Take on "Victory Day"?
Initially, Ukraine celebrated Victory Day and the remembrance of the war shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In response to the annexation of Crimea, the Ukrainian government began commemorating May 8 as "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation" beginning in 2016. In the summer of 2023, the commemoration’s name was changed to "Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939-1945," emphasizing Ukraine's active role in the war against Nazism and distinguishing it from Soviet and Russian historical narratives.
Is Ukraine part of the ongoing memory war?
The struggle between Russia and Ukraine over World War II memory has been ongoing for quite some time, intensifying after the Euromaidan protests and the annexation of Crimea. Russia has long claimed ownership of this holiday, using it to forge the foundational myth of victory over fascism. In spring 2022, Russia justified its invasion of Ukraine by arguing it needed to combat the resurgence of fascism there. The fight against fascism serves as Russia's rationale for its aggression in Ukraine, providing a justification for mobilizing the population and giving their sacrifices in this senseless war some sort of meaning.
How does Russia incite sentiment among its diverse populace?
Not only was the Soviet Union a multicultural nation, but Russia itself remains a collection of numerous nationalities and ethnicities. It's observed that Russia's rhetoric during the Ukraine conflict shifted over time: the language moved from discussing the Soviet people who once fought Nazism to emphasizing the heroic struggles of all the peoples of the Russian Federation. This narrative of joint victory is used to unite the various ethnic groups, as many troops from these national minorities participate in the fighting in Ukraine. Russia connects the deaths of these soldiers in Ukraine within a historical tradition, claiming they are fulfilling a "sacred duty" by continuing their ancestors' heroic deeds.
Politics
The war against fascism, a lasting legacy of the "Great Patriotic War," is sanctified, and this religious connotation is bolstered by the close ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state. Today, it's said that the war in Ukraine is about preserving sacred values – those that define Russian identity: family, fatherland, and unity. These values were supposedly defended against fascism in the past and are now being defended against a hostile West.
Germany's Silent Role in the Memory War?
Germany is not directly embroiled in a war of memory with Russia, unlike the Baltic states, Poland, or Ukraine. However, one can sense that Germany was once divided, and the enduring historical views from the Cold War era linger on today. If Russian narratives find support here, it's partly due to this legacy.
Corinna Kuhr-Korolev's Assessment on the Exclusion of Russia and Belarus from the German Bundestag Memorial Event
For Germany, this is a diplomatically challenging scenario. In my opinion, the Federal Foreign Office made the right decision in advising against the participation of Russian and Belarusian representatives in memorial events for the end of the war. The Bundestag's exclusion of Russia and Belarus from the 80th anniversary central memorial ceremony for the end of the Second World War in Europe was also appropriate due to concerns that the commemoration might be exploited for Russian state propaganda. However, the exclusion is a difficult situation due to the ongoing tragic events in Ukraine.
The Issue at Hand
The historical event and the victims themselves are beyond dispute, deserving of our deepest respect. But, given the current conflict, we can't mourn together. We can't ask the Ukrainian side to participate in memorial events with Russian representatives while people in Ukraine continue to be killed by Russian bombs daily.
- Russia, in commemoration of the end of World War II, celebrates "Victory Day" on May 9 as "The Great Patriotic War".
- Russia's "Victory Day" celebrations have become a tool for demonstrating strength domestically and internationally, with military parades being a key part of the tradition.
- The memory of World War II has become a cause for polarization, with Europe divided into two groups: one that follows Russia's perspective and another that acknowledges Soviet accomplishments but emphasizes the post-liberation oppression of Eastern European nations.
- In response to the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine commemorates May 8 as "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation" rather than celebrating "Victory Day", as they distanciate themselves from Soviet and Russian historical narratives.
