Showdown in Spring Remembrance: How Russia Exploits "Victory Day" Propaganda
Strategies Employed by Russian Propaganda in Exploiting Memorial Organizations
Hear ye, hear ye! May 8, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, shall soon beam upon us. Yet, Russian representatives, along with their Belarusian counterparts, have been steps away from the festivities at the German Bundestag. Corinna Kuhr-Korolev, an historian delving into the region's past with Osteuropa, enlightens us on how today's war of memories shapes up, its consequences, and the impact of the ongoing conflicts on our remembrance. "The past serves as a dagger," she warns, "history has once again become a weapon."
How will Russia celebrate "Victory Day" this year?
In Russia, the 9th of May is commemorated as the Red Army's triumph over Nazi Germany in the so-called "Great Patriotic War," having replaced "World War II" in the nation's vernacular. A spectacle of grandeur is planned for the occasion, featuring military parades, tanks, fighter jets, and a host of marching troops throughout the country.
Such parades may appear as state traditions, but their beginnings are more recent than one might expect. Initially, the day went unacknowledged in the Soviet Union after the war, but it eventually morphed into an official holiday. Parades on Baikonur Square in Moscow were only held during milestone anniversaries, such as in 1965, 1975, 1985, and 1990. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, no parades were conducted in the successor state of Russia until 1995. From the 1990s onward, and particularly after Putin's takeover, the military spectacle on Red Square transformed into an annual, increasingly flamboyant demonstration of might.
What will this year bring?
The message Russia seeks to convey is twofold: strength both at home and on the global stage. For these reasons, the celebrations aim to be grandiose. More than a decade ago, Kuhr-Korolev had debated with Russian companions about this: When tanks roll over Red Square and soldiers march in step, is it a display of power or a mere expression of patriotism? Back then, she found it disconcerting, and the ongoing attack on Ukraine has shown her concerns to be founded. The appeal to patriotism and gradual militarization prepared the population mentally for war, as well as sustaining a basic level of support for what is commonly referred to as the "military special operation."
What role does this event play on the international stage?
Putin extends an invitation to foreign representatives, eager for Russia's historical achievement and power to be recognized worldwide. Simultaneously, he demonstrates Russia's ambitions for a leading role in global politics.
A confused timeline: The reasons behind Russia's distinct May 9 celebration
The incongruity between May 8 and May 9 as days of commemoration stems from the dual signing of the unconditional surrender documents. On May 7, 1945, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl ended the armed conflicts on the western fronts by signing the surrender deal at the Western Allies' headquarters in Reims, France, while the Soviets demanded a second ceremony in Berlin-Karlshorst on May 9, leading to the formulation of conflicting historical perspectives.
The heat of memory war
History has become a weapon, cautions Kuhr-Korolev. Territorial power claims are made or denied using historical arguments, and the interpretation of the end of World War II significantly contributes to this. The globe is increasingly factioned, with one camp choosing to follow the Russian narrative, emphasizing the Red Army's essential role in liberating Europe from fascism, while the other acknowledges the Soviet Union's historical contributions but stresses the lack of self-determination experienced by many nations in Eastern Europe after their "liberation."
What befell Eastern European countries after their 'liberation'?
Citizens from the Baltic States, Poland, or Ukraine faced oppression, deportations, and persecution under the Hitler-Stalin Pact in 1939/1940-1941 and again following their liberation in 1944 or 1945. They regard themselves as victims of the Soviet Union's imperial policy and see contemporary Russian policy as a resurgence of these imperial ambitions. The aggressive rhetoric employed by Putin and his cronies bolsters such perceptions. Political tensions are mirrored in the interpretation of history.
The divide along the lines of memory
He who attends Putin's May 9 celebrations on Red Square sides with Putin's historical account and justifies the war in Ukraine based on it, making May 9 a politically-charged symbol.
Who celebrates May 9 beyond Russia?
Most former Soviet republics hold more muted "Victory Day" celebrations; however, the nature of the day varies from country to country. Some have renamed the day in an attempt to disassociate it from the Soviet tradition, whereas others do not consider May 9 a national holiday. Instead, days that hold more significance, often referred to as "Independence Day," hold greater prominence in some states, such as the Baltic countries.
The case of Ukraine
Following the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine began observing "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation" on May 8 in 2016. In the summer of 2023, the moniker was amended to "Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939-1945," highlighting Ukraine's active role in the anti-Nazi struggle and diverging from Soviet and Russian historical narratives.
A war of memories brewing between Russia and Ukraine
The memory war waged between Russia and Ukraine has been mounting for some time, reaching its peak after the Euromaidan and the annexation of Crimea, further intensifying with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has long claimed ownership of this holiday, using it to ingrain the founding myth of victory over fascism. In the spring of 2022, Russia justified its offensive on Ukraine by asserting that the country needed to thwart the return of fascism there, which is Russia's justification for its war of aggression. Putin uses this narrative to legitimate the war and stimulate support from the population, providing them with a sense of purpose in this senseless conflict.
A family affair: Connecting the historical legacy with current objectives
Not only was the Soviet Union a multinational state, but Russia remains a state composed of various nationalities and ethnicities. It is observable that the discourse on the Russian side has evolved during the course of the Ukraine war: from speaking of the Soviet people who once defeated Nazism, they now speak of the heroic struggle of all the peoples of the Russian Federation. This superseding narrative of common victory is employed to unite the disparate ethnic groups, as many ethnic minorities serve in the Russian forces in Ukraine. Russia frames their sacrifices as part of a historical tradition, asserting that they are fulfilling a "sacred duty."
A reminder from Rebecca Wegmann:
We commemorate the end of the war amongst ourselves, without Russia and Belarus. The signal to Russia and Belarus is that we maintain their memorials and they can mourn their dead there. But it must be clear that their state propaganda has no place there, also through bans.
References:
1. "Modern History Sourcebook - Topic: World War II and the Cold War." www.fordham.edu.2. "Vladimir Putin: Russia's historic mission." Council on Foreign Relations. www.cfr.org.3. "World War II in the Soviet Union." Britannica. www.britannica.com.4. "The Annexation of Crimea: Facts, Timeline, and Implications." Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. carnegieendowment.org.*5. "Soviet War Memorial in Berlin: A Symbol of a Fraught Past." The New York Times. www.nytimes.com.
Keywords:
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
- Memorial Day
- World War II
- Ukraine Conflict
- Geopolitics
- War of Memories
- History manipulation
- Propaganda
- Memory Wars
Enrichment Insight: The use of history as a weapon to drive global politics, explicitly in Russia, has risen to prominence in the 21st century, significantly impacting international relations and global security. Historically, Russia has strategically employed narratives and monumental events, such as Victory Day, to legitimize its actions and assert its authority. Additionally, Russia's exploitation of World War II narratives has triggered memory wars, particularly with neighboring countries such as Ukraine. These tensions have raised global concerns about regional stability and the potential for increased conflict.
- In her analysis, historian Corinna Kuhr-Korolev from Osteuropa warns that history has become a weapon, frequently used to shape political narratives and drive international tensions.
- Russia and its Belarusian counterparts have been conspicuously absent from the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at the German Bundestag, a move that Kuhr-Korolev argues emphasizes the growing rift in the interpretation of this historical event.
- Several Eastern European countries, including those in the Baltics, Poland, and Ukraine, regard themselves as victims of oppression and persecution after their "liberation" from Nazi rule by the Soviet Union, leading to a polarized perspective on the historical significance of the Soviet Union's role in World War II.
- following the annexation of Crimea, Ukraine renamed their Day of Remembrance to Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939-1945, signaling a deliberate shift away from Soviet and Russian historical narratives and emphasizing Ukraine's role in the anti-Nazi struggle.
