Taking a Swipe at "Victory Day": Unearthing Russia's Propaganda Tactics during Remembrance
Russian Manipulation Exploits Memorial for Propaganda Purposes
On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, representatives from Russia and Belarus were snubbed from the commemoration event held at the German Bundestag. Historian Corinna Kuhr-Korolev explains in an interview with ntv.de how the memory war is being waged today and its impact on current conflicts. "History is being weaponized again," she notes.
How's Russia Celebrating the "Victory Day"?
In Russia, May 9 is celebrated as the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany in the "Great Patriotic War," as World War II is known in Russia. Russia pulls out all the stops for the big day, with massive military parades in various cities and on Red Square in Moscow, tanks roll over, and elite units march past the viewing stand, including those involved in the war in Ukraine. These parades are presented as long-standing tradition, but like a lucky charm, it wasn't always this way.
Political Context and the Evolution of Russia's Victory Day Tradition
After unsuccessful negotiations, the German commanders signed the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht on May 7, 1945, at the Western Allies' headquarters in Reims, France. Yet, at Moscow's behest, Stalin forced the Germans to sign again the following day at Berlin-Karlshorst. This resulted in the two concentric conflict narratives regarding the end of the war and the struggle for historical interpretation, now highly charged with ideology.
In present-day Russia, the war memory is weaponized to justify ongoing military aggression, especially in Ukraine, and to portray a united front against perceived "fascism." Many Russians are emotionally drawn to this narrative, further emboldening support for the regime and polarizing public opinion.
The Kremlin has effectively exploited the emotional weight of World War II memories by framing the war in Ukraine as a continuation of the "Great Patriotic War" against Nazism. Anti-Western rhetoric and doomsday scenarios are fueled, as Ukraine is depicted as a terrorist threat and a harbor of fascism. This echoes the Kremlin's narrative around the Ukraine conflict, justifying its actions and soliciting support from the Soviet veterans and others who view Ukraine's resistance as a betrayal of historical alliances.
Furthermore, the glorification of military strength during Victory Day displays reinforces the mythic national identity tied to Russia's proud military past. This process subtly manipulates the population into accepting the Kremlin's political agenda or risk being labeled unpatriotic or disrespectful towards the memory of victory.
Russia's Propaganda Strategy and Techniques
- Falsification of history: Manipulated historical narratives to justify ongoing conflicts and silence criticism.
- Co-option of symbols: Use of national symbols, such as the Soviet flag, to evoke emotional responses from the population.
- Divisive political polarization: Reviving old historical arguments to sow discord and promote political divisions within society.
- Emotional mobilization: Use of emotion-laden slogans, messaging, and imagery to sway public opinion and reinforce nationalist sentiments.
- External image control: Actively seeking international allies or inviting foreign delegations to events in an attempt to portray global normality amid mounting international condemnation and sanctions.
The Kremlin's systematic manipulation of historical events and symbols further undermines the integrity of the current memory landscape, making it increasingly challenging for nations to find common ground amidst the polarized discourse.
anderia/moderntimes | aruajaja/anti-propaganda
Russia* | Vladimir Putin | Second World War | Ukraine | Ukraine Conflict | Attack on Ukraine | Memory War | Political Manipulation | National Symbolism | Germany | Baltics | Information Control | False Flags | Global Isolation | Western Opposition | Fascism | Sacred Values | Domestic Mobilization | Disinformation | Ideological Polarization | Emotional Coercion | Propaganda Spectacle | Public Dissent | Anti-Western Rhetoric | Historical Narratives | Reichstag Replica | Elite Units | Censorship | Repression | Moscow Shuts Down Mobile Network**
Sources: ntv.de, huggingface.co, enrichment data, Wikipedia.
- The European Union, particularly the members from Osteuropa, have expressed their disapproval of Russia's tactics during the commemoration event, inwhich the European Union considers Russia's celebration of 'Victory Day' to be a part of its propaganda strategy.
- In an attempt to evoke support from its populace, Russia, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, uses manipulated historical narratives, such as glorifying the Second World War victory, to divisively polarize political opinions and justify its actions against Ukraine, or perceived 'fascism'.
- Co-opting the sacred values associated with the Rememberance of the Second World War, Russia uses symbols like the Soviet flag and the glorification of elite units to emotionally mobilize its citizens and further its political agenda, often framing the Ukraine conflict as a continuation of the 'Great Patriotic War'.
- In a bid to control its external image amidst mounting international condemnation and sanctions, Russia invites foreign delegations to its celebrations, aiming to portray global normality during its Victory Day spectacle, despite instances of repression, censorship, and the shutting down of mobile networks in some cases, such as during the attack on Ukraine.
