Victory Day in Russia Celebrates 80 Years Since Defeat of Nazi Germany Russia marked the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on Friday with a grand parade on Red Square, attended by over two dozen world leaders—the largest gathering since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin presided over the event, showcasing tanks, missiles, and thousands of troops, in a display aimed at emphasizing Russia’s military strength and its international alliances. Victory Day, celebrated annually on May 9, holds immense significance in Russia as its most important secular holiday. The parade and festivities serve to reinforce Moscow’s efforts to project power, affirm its historical pride, and bolster alliances amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, now in its fourth year. This year’s parade was the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, drawing many global leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Their presence underscored Russia’s narrative that it remains a legitimate victor among the nations of the "global majority," and that it has allies even within the Western camp—highlighted by the attendance of Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico. The commemoration of World War II is a rare unifying event in Russia’s often divisive political history, rooted in the immense sacrifice of the Soviet Union, which lost 27 million people during the war. Officially called the Great Patriotic War, it is etched deeply into the national psyche and used by the Kremlin to foster national pride and justify ongoing policies.
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