Following the recent attack on the Kremlin, Russian celebrations of Victory Day (May 9) – which marks the defeat of the Nazi regime in World War II – are held in a highly restricted form.
A week after a drone attack on the Kremlin, security measures have been tightened in Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin taking over the organization of the event, and the famed military march will take place in a reduced format.
Here is a list of questions and answers about Victory Day celebrations.
What marks Victory Day?
Victory Day commemorates the European victory of the Allies over the regime of Nazi Germany, at the end of World War II, on May 8, 1945. In countries under the influence of the former Soviet Union, the Day of of Victory celebrated on May 9, referring to the day of the capitulation of the Nazi troops to the Soviet troops, and began to be considered a public holiday.
In most Western European countries, Victory Day was still celebrated on May 8.
This year, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, presented a proposal to also celebrate the date on May 8, as in Western countries, in an initiative already welcomed by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.
What significance does Victory Day 2023 have for Russia?
More than a year after the start of what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, the Kremlin wants to repeat, especially on the eve of a possible Ukrainian counter-offensive announced for this spring.
Western authorities estimate that the Russian invasion of Ukraine may have killed more than 20,000 soldiers under Moscow’s command, but the Kremlin does not take this dimension of the losses, promising Victory Day as a manifestation of Russia’s “invulnerable military might”. to make. .
What festivities are being prepared in Russia for this year’s Victory Day?
In preparation for this year’s ceremonies, nervousness is growing among Russian authorities after a “drone” attack on the Kremlin, which Moscow says was designed to try to assassinate President Vladimir Putin and attribute responsibility to Kiev and Washington ( who deny behind the initiative).
In Moscow (as in St. Petersburg), flying with unmanned aerial vehicles is prohibited and, as security measures, interference mechanisms in GPS signals have been detected on a Red Square that will be under strict surveillance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin personally took charge of organizing the ceremonies after meeting with his Security Council, where the highest levels of the security and intelligence services pontificate.
This year, only reserve troops in the military parade – solemnly nicknamed “March of the Immortal Regiment” – are allowed to parade, as a relevant part of the effective soldiers are involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
Officially, however, the Kremlin does not endorse this decision, saying only that the March of the Immortal Regiment “will take place in a different format”, without specifying which one.
Military parades will not take place in several regions occupied by Russian troops, including Kursk, Belgorod and Crimea.
Which other former Soviet republics still celebrate Victory Day?
Most of the republics that belonged to the Soviet Union, as well as several countries that were under its influence, still celebrate this day today, with different names and with different models (some keep the holiday, others just remember it with small festivities) .
This year, as in 2022, several countries are planning more modest and discreet celebrations, or even canceling them, as is the case in Moldova.
Will this year’s Russian Victory Day celebrations have international guests?
The Russian “media” report that the ceremonies will have a very limited number of international guests, as happened last year, with the Kremlin again justifying the decision on the grounds that it is not a “round date”.
For now, the presence of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, and the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahomon, has been confirmed, leaders of two nations who have reiterated their unconditional support for Russia.
In 1995, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Europe’s victory in World War II, many world leaders gathered in Moscow in what was the first major state event after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In 2015, the 70th anniversary celebrations were attended by the presidents of countries such as India and China, but most Western leaders boycott the ceremony due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In 2020, Victory Day’s 75th anniversary celebrations were postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic.
How many Victory Day celebrations can Putin preside over?
In 2021, Putin signed a law allowing him to remain president of Russia for another 13 years, until 2036.
If he achieves this feat, Putin will have completed 36 in the Kremlin by that year 2036, more than Stalin, who was president for 29 years.
Source: DN
