Russia's Triumphant Show of Military Might on Victory Day
Russia commemorates the victory against Nazi Germany with a grand military display. - Russia honors the triumph over Nazi Germany by staging a military display
Kick off your flip-flops, grab a cold brew, and buckle up, mate! We're diving into the hype surrounding Russia's thunderous Victory Day parade, a testament to their clout and the end of Nazi Germany's reign of terror.
More than 20 heads of state, including China's Xi Jinping, will converge in the heart of Moscow, soaking up the atmosphere, with only Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico representing the EU crowd. EU foreign ministers will be gathering in Lviv, Ukraine, for a chinwag.
The Second World War wound down 80 years ago, and the conflict's conclusion was marked by the German Wehrmacht's surrender. In Western Europe, May 8 is the day of remembrance, but in Russia, they prefer to get down and boogie on May 9, commemorating their victory over the Nazis.
This annual show, held on Red Square, is a breathtaking spectacle of Russia's military might and a symbol of national solidarity and pride. In recent years, it's become a stomping ground for Russia to flaunt its muscle and alliances, particularly to thumb its nose at Western sanctions and icy diplomatic relations stemming from the ruckus in Ukraine.
Curious about the roots of the Victory Day parade? The inaugural event took place on June 24, 1945, with soldiers from every front of the Great Patriotic War joining the party on Red Square. The captured Nazi flags were unceremoniously stashed in the basement of Lenin's Mausoleum, a not-so-subtle reminder of the USSR's triumph over the Third Reich.
After the glitzy parades of the Soviet era fizzled out, grand Victory Day parades were relegated to special anniversaries (1965, 1985, 1990). The main event, historically scheduled on November 7 to commemorate the Great October Socialist Revolution, got all the love.
May 9 was initially a day off in 1945 but quickly lost its luster in 1947. It wasn't until 1965, under Leonid Brezhnev's leadership, that May 9 regained its prominence and became a crucial national holiday once again. Usual observances included gatherings of vets, memorial ceremonies, and a bang-up fireworks show across major Soviet cities.
Fast-forward to today, and the Victory Day parade serves as a billboard for Putin's Russia, shouting loud and clear: "Look at our military! Ain't we somethin' else?!" As the West smirks from afar, peeved by Russia's actions in Ukraine, the festivities have become a stage for Russia to flaunt its geopolitical clout and chummy relationships, especially with non-Western powerhouses like China.
2025 witnessed the greatest number of globe-trotting leaders to date, highlighting Russia's bid to establish a multipolar world order where every Tom, Dick, and Harry has a say, rather than the West ruling the roost. Keep your eyes peeled, folks, as this global chess game unfolds... Russia's dream of a more balanced international system might just be within grasp!
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin, as the chief, celebrated with a military parade on Victory Day, marking the anniversary of Russia's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. While EU foreign ministers were having consultations in Kiev, Ukraine, more than 20 heads of state, including China's Xi Jinping, attended the parade in the heart of the city, reminiscent of the Red Square event. Kiev also reportedly celebrated this anniversary, signifying a significant day in both Russian and Ukrainian history. The Kremlin continues to use these events to showcase its military might and geopolitical alliances, particularly with non-Western powers, in a bid to establish a multipolar world order.
