On a bitterly cold day in Red Square, Russian President Vladimir Putin stood before a parade of military might, marking the 79th anniversary of Victory Day – a day that Russia venerates as the defeat of Nazi Germany and a symbol of Russian fortitude. Amid a display that included only one tank from the World War II era, the leader seized the moment to castigate Western nations, accusing them of stoking global conflicts.
Addressing the thousands of troops assembled before him, including some who had fought in Ukraine, Putin did not waver in his narrative. “We are going forward relying on our centuries-old traditions and feel confident that together we will ensure a free and secure future of Russia,” he declared, encapsulating the nation’s wartime legacy as a testament to its present-day resolve.
But his speech went beyond the customary tributes. With tensions with the West reaching heights not seen since the Cold War, particularly due to the conflict in Ukraine, Putin accused Western countries of “fueling regional conflicts, inter-ethnic and inter-religious strife and trying to contain sovereign and independent centers of global development.”
This narrative, framed around the ongoing war in Ukraine, was underscored by a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear capabilities. As nuclear-capable Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles were paraded, Putin warned: “Russia will do everything to prevent global confrontation, but will not allow anyone to threaten us,” adding that, “Our strategic forces are in combat readiness.”
Putin’s remarks come at a time when his administration has taken significant measures to align the public perception of history with the Kremlin’s narrative, introducing legislation that criminalizes any “rehabilitation of Nazism” that could be interpreted as challenging state-sanctioned versions of World War II history. His reference to “hypocrisy and lies” in Western accounts of the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany seems to be a continuation of this effort to maintain a particular view of the past to justify current policies.
The Victory Day festivities, a key element of Putin’s political agenda, featured fewer military assets than in previous years, a reflection of the ongoing military engagement in Ukraine. Notably, the parade included only a single tank, a T-34, which contrasted with Putin’s message of military strength. Additionally, the traditional “Immortal Regiment” march was moved online, ostensibly for safety reasons but also possibly to prevent those opposing the conflict in Ukraine from using the event as a platform for protest.
Relevant articles:
– Russia Celebrates Victory in World War II as Putin Accuses the West of Fueling Global Conflicts, Military, 05/09/2024
– Emboldened Russia marks Victory Day with parade of nuclear-capable weapons, The Washington Post, 05/09/2024
– For some Russians, Putin’s Victory Day is the darkest of the year, POLITICO Europe, 05/09/2024
– Russia’s Putin says ‘arrogant’ West risking global conflict, Al Jazeera English, 05/09/2024