Russia on Friday marked the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany, commemorating the valour and sacrifice of the former Soviet Union during World War II with grand military parades and solemn ceremonies across the country.
The centrepiece event unfolded in Moscow’s iconic Red Square, where thousands of Russian troops marched alongside dozens of military vehicles, showcasing the country’s military prowess and paying homage to the millions who fell in the Great Patriotic War.
The main parade in Moscow on 9 May saw the participation of over 2,000 military personnel and 40 pieces of military equipment, reflecting the scale and spirit of the 1945 triumph. The event, attended by President Vladimir Putin and senior military leaders, was a powerful demonstration of Russian military strength and national pride.
Beyond Moscow, similar parades and ceremonies were held across Russia’s 11 time zones, including in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, where 2,000 participants and 40 pieces of military hardware took part in the Victory Day parade on Thursday.
The parade was followed by a theatrical performance titled “And Yet We Won!”, which dramatised key episodes of the 1941–1945 conflict through a historical re-enactment, drawing thousands of residents, veterans, and military families.
Immortal Regiment Marches, a massive civilian tradition where people carry portraits of their relatives who fought in the war, have also been held worldwide in the lead-up to the Victory Day celebrations, including in China, Africa, and Latin America. These processions have become a powerful symbol of Russia’s wartime sacrifice and collective memory.
However, the commemorations have not been without controversy. Ahead of the Victory Day events, Berlin police issued a ban on displaying Soviet flags and symbols at World War II memorials in the German capital, including prohibitions on singing Soviet songs in public.
The Russian Embassy in Berlin strongly criticised the restrictions, stating, “We deem the ban unjustified, discriminatory, and degrading to human dignity, and view it as a clear manifestation of historical revisionism and political opportunism.”
In previous years, Berlin authorities have similarly prohibited Russian and Soviet flags during the commemorations. In 2023, both Russian and Soviet flags were banned, while in 2024 the restrictions extended to include symbols such as the red Victory Banner and the letters “Z” and “V,” which have become associated with Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
Military personnel from 13 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Egypt, Laos, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, are expected to join the parade in Moscow.
Additionally, 29 world leaders, including representatives from Armenia, Belarus, China, Cuba, Egypt, and Vietnam, are also expected to attend, alongside defence ministers from 31 countries and representatives from Russian-controlled Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Every year on 9 May, Russia commemorates the end of World War II in Europe with grand military parades, reflecting on the sacrifices made during the conflict and reaffirming its national resolved.
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