Victory Day Russia 2022: Why Victory Day in Russia is important amid Ukraine War?

Russia Victory Day 2022: Russia celebrates ‘Victory Day’ every year on May 9. Victory Day is one of the most significant national holidays in Russia as it marks the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during the Second World War. During the Victory Day 2022 parade in Russia, President Putin flaunts Russia's military capabilities and the bravery of the soldiers fighting for the country. Victory Day 2022 in Russia will also be different this year as the country's war on Ukraine continues and the President justifies the war by comparing it with the previous struggle against Nazism in Germany. 

When is Victory Day 2022?

Victory Day is a grand celebration and one of the most significant national holidays that takes place every year in Russia on May 9. Victory Day is celebrated in Russia with a massive military parade and other festivities organised on this day to celebrate the victory over the Nazis.

Victory Day parades begin in Russia.

People in Vladivostok take to the streets to watch the annual parade marking Russia's 1945 victory over Nazi Germany.

This year's parades aim to justify Russia's war in Ukraine, which has gone on longer and cost more than Moscow expected pic.twitter.com/l2aeMeRfAj

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 9, 2022

Victory Day 2022: Why this day is important this year?

Over the last few years, Russian President Vladimir Putin during his address on Victory Day has warned of new battles ahead. In 2021, in his annual address, Putin said that Russia's enemies were once again deploying much of the ideology of the West. 

Victory Day 2022 in Russia is expected to be a turning point in the Ukraine war. Till now, Putin has justified the war on Ukraine claiming that he was denazifying the country and continuously used World War II, Holocaust, and Nazism to legitime the attack on Ukraine. 

However, several political analysts believe that during his speech on Victory Day 2022 parade on May 9, Putin will draw parallels between the conflict in Ukraine and the heroism of the Soviet soldiers during the second world war. 

Ukraine has also alleged that Russia has plans to celebrate Victory Day 2022 in Ukrainian cities too. They claimed that Russia has been cleaning up the streets of the battered Mariupol city in an effort to make it presentable.

Why is Victory Day celebrated in Russia?

Every year on May 9, Russia celebrates Victory Day to commemorate the defeat of the Nazis during the second world war. Notably, while the allies celebrate Victory Day or Victory in Europe Day on May 7- the day Nazis surrendered in France- Joseph Stalin, Soviet Union Leader, chose to celebrate the victory over Nazis in Soviet-controlled Berlin, Germany the next day. 

Later, Russia's first post-Soviet President Boris Yeltsin made the victory day celebration an annual affair, however, it was Soviet Leonid Brezhnev who announced May 9 as the national holiday. 

Vladimir Putin over the last few decades has turned Victory Day in Russia into a more sacred event. Millions of Russians are gathered on the streets to watch the parade and participate in the festivities. 

Even during the pandemic, when the celebration on Victory Day was disrupted, the names of the soldiers who were killed during the Second World War were broadcasted on State television channels.

Why are western countries worried?

The Western countries have a fear that Putin will use his speech on Victory Day 2022 to intensify the attack on Ukraine and mobilise the Russian citizens for a more bloody battle. 

As per the US State Department Spokesperson, Russians will do everything they can to use May 9 for propaganda purposes.  Many Ukrainians have also been migrating from the bigger cities and towns out of fear that war will escalate.