MWE Correspondent
Standing beneath the shadow of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the heart of Red Square, Russian President Vladimir Putin led a solemn commemoration marking 80 years since the Soviet Union‘s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Delivering his speech before thousands of troops, veterans, and dignitaries, Putin emphasized the enduring significance of the Great Patriotic War — as Russians refer to the Eastern Front of WWII — and paid tribute to the generations who gave their lives to defeat fascism.
“Their courage shaped the course of history,” he declared. “We remember, and we are proud.”
The annual Victory Day military parade featured over 11,000 service members and showcased strategic missiles, battle tanks, and the latest military drones, underscoring Russia’s current military capabilities.
Putin also highlighted the symbolic return of the Immortal Regiment, a civil procession in which citizens carry photographs of relatives who fought in WWII. This year, the tradition extended globally with marches in China, South Africa, Brazil, and several other nations, reflecting the universal reverence for wartime sacrifice.
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The ceremony was especially poignant this year amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. While Russia declared a 72-hour ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, reports from Kyiv suggest hostilities may not have fully paused, raising skepticism from international observers.
Putin used the occasion to assert national resilience, invoking the memory of past struggles to frame present challenges.
“Russia’s history is one of unity and perseverance,” he stated. “We will protect our truth, just as our ancestors protected our land.”
For many Russians, Victory Day remains deeply personal — a day not only of military might but of remembrance, loss, and pride. As Moscow echoed with the rhythm of marching boots and patriotic songs, the message was clear: the past lives on, not just in memory, but in purpose.
