Citizens of the country march through the streets, holding photographs of their ancestors who died in the war. In the last two decades, thousands of spectators have gathered in Moscow and in other parts of the country to watch the parades and participate in celebrations. But it is President Vladimir Putin who is often credited with elevating the scale of the event to its present form. The mid-1960s also saw the introduction of grand celebrations and military parades on Victory Day. In 1965, USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev made May 9 a national holiday. The occasion, however, was not always celebrated with similar pomp and glory. Russia, therefore, celebrates Victory Day on May 9. By the time the document was signed, it was already past midnight in Moscow. USSR, however, wanted to wait till the official document was signed by German authorities in Soviet-controlled Berlin. At the end of World War II in 1945, the Allied Powers declared May 8 as Victory in Europe Day. The erstwhile Soviet Union first celebrated Victory Day on May 9, 1945, after Germany signed the Instrument of Surrender.
What is the history of Russia’s Victory Day? While some experts believe that the country might use the occasion to intensify the attack, old reports have suggested that Russia wants to wrap up the military operation by May 9.
This year, there is huge speculation around the celebrations in light of Russia’s Ukraine invasion. Russia and other parts of the erstwhile Soviet Union refer to the Second World War as the Great Patriotic War. Over eight million Russian soldiers are estimated to have died during World War II. An elaborate ceremony also takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial in Moscow dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died during the war. The Russian military holds a parade at Moscow’s Red Square and in other cities to mark the event. Since then Victory Day in Russia has increasingly been turning into a joyous celebration in which popular culture plays a great role.The story so far: Every year, Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory over Germany’s Nazi forces in World War II. He started to promote the prestige of the governing regime and history, national holidays and commemorations all became a source for national self-esteem. Things changed when Vladimir Putin came to power. In Russia during the 1990s, May 9th was not celebrated massively, because Soviet-style mass demonstrations did not fit in with the way the liberal power base in Moscow communicated with the country’s residents. After the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe, most former USSR countries retained the celebration. The war became a topic of importance in cinema, literature, and history lessons at school, the mass media, and the arts. During the Soviet Union's existence, May 9th was celebrated throughout the USSR and in the countries of the Easter Bloc. It was first begun in the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the surrender document late in the evening on May 8, 1945, but already after midnight by Moscow time, thus May 9th. Victory Day, May 9th, marks the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War.