The article discusses how Russia‘s celebration of Victory Day (May 9th) has transformed from a day of remembrance for the Soviet Union‘s role in World War II to a tool for justifying modern aggression and militarism. The author argues that Vladimir Putin‘s regime has distorted the meaning of this day, using it to legitimize his rule, create a pseudo-ideology of the “Russian world,” and transform war into the ethical foundation of statehood.
The article highlights how Russia’s version of messianism began forming in 2010, when Putin first claimed that Russia would have won the war without Ukraine. Since then, May 9th has become an instrument of war, used to justify aggression against neighboring countries, including Georgia and Ukraine. The regime’s propaganda aims to dehumanize Ukrainians and other enemies, justifying any violence.
The author notes that past war justifies current war in Putin’s Russia, and that real WWII veterans have long since died and cannot object. As a result, May 9th has become a ritual justifying new aggression, with parades becoming the central event of the day. The article concludes that Ukraine has abandoned Soviet-style celebrations of May 9th, embracing instead a European tradition of solemn commemoration on May 8th.
Key points:
* Russia’s celebration of Victory Day (May 9th) has transformed from a day of remembrance to a tool for justifying modern aggression and militarism.
* Vladimir Putin’s regime has distorted the meaning of this day, using it to legitimize his rule and create a pseudo-ideology of the “Russian world.”
* Russia’s version of messianism began forming in 2010, when Putin first claimed that Russia would have won the war without Ukraine.
* May 9th has become an instrument of war, used to justify aggression against neighboring countries, including Georgia and Ukraine.
* Past war justifies current war in Putin’s Russia, with real WWII veterans having long since died and unable to object.
* Ukraine has abandoned Soviet-style celebrations of May 9th, embracing instead a European tradition of solemn commemoration on May 8th.
