Victory Day on May 9 is one of the most important holidays in Russia, when people remember the enormous sacrifices of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, in which about 27 million citizens died.
In a speech on May 9, President Putin told Russians that the world was once again at a crucial “turning point” and they were engaged in a patriotic struggle for the country’s future.
“Today, civilization is at a decisive turning point. A real war has broken out against our Motherland... We have repelled international terrorism, we will protect the people of Donbass, we will ensure our security,” Putin said.
In a 10-minute speech on Red Square, the Russian leader repeated familiar messages he has repeatedly delivered since Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“The West has forgotten who defeated the Nazis,” he said, before repeating his argument that Ukraine was like the Nazis. The Russian leader still regards the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation” and says that “the future of our country depends on it.”
He also said that “Western globalist elites” were spreading hatred against Russia, while the Ukrainian people had become “hostages of a state coup” and Western ambitions.
View of the Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2023. Photo: Kemlin.ru
A view of the Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2023. Photo: RT
A view of the Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023. According to Russian news agency TASS, 125 pieces of military equipment participated in this year's parade. Photo: RT
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, May 9, 2023. Photo: Sputnik
According to the Russian news agency TASS, this year, Russia's Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow involved more than 8,000 soldiers, including 530 soldiers of the "special military operation" in Ukraine and 125 pieces of military equipment.
This year, the infantry column consisted of 30 units. Traditionally, the legendary T-34 tank led the motorized column at the parade. Also taking part were Tigr-M armored vehicles, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Bumerang infantry fighting vehicles, Iskander-M tactical missile systems, S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems and Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers.
Meanwhile, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen was in Kiev on May 9 for the European Day of Peace and Unity celebrations, designed as a symbolic response to Moscow's annual Victory Day parade.
Ms von der Leyen took an overnight train from Poland to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss Ukraine's quest for genuine EU membership.
Earlier, on May 8, Mr. Zelensky said he had submitted to the Ukrainian parliament a bill to officially commemorate World War II in Ukraine on May 8 – instead of May 9, the traditional anniversary in Russia and other former Soviet countries.
The Ukrainian leader also said the Eastern European country will celebrate Europe Day on May 9, promoting peace and unity on the former continent .
Minh Duc (According to TASS, DW, France24)
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