**Russia’s Victory Day: A Nation’s Pride and Pain**
In the town of Dubna, Russia, a park comes alive with the sounds of explosions and gunfire. The Red Army storms across a bridge, battling for control of a tiny island. This is not a real battle, but an historical re-enactment of one of the final battles for Berlin in 1945. It’s a reminder of Russia’s greatest victory: the defeat of Nazi Germany.
As the Soviet soldiers storm the island, they tear down a swastika and replace it with the hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union. The crowd watching from the shore cheers as victory is declared. But for Katya, a spectator in Dubna, this scene brings back painful memories. Her grandfather fought in World War Two and was killed near Berlin.
Eighty years on, Russia is still proud of its victory in 1945. The country has been awash with reminders of The Great Victory: parades, billboards, and even special “victory trains” on the Moscow Metro. But despite confident pronouncements by Russian officials, victory eludes Moscow in Ukraine. The Kremlin’s “special military operation” was expected to last a few days, but it’s now been over three years.
As Russia prepares to celebrate Victory Day, many Russians believe their country is under threat from the West. Lidiya tells me that Britain and America have betrayed Russia and threaten its security. But not everyone shares this view. Fyodor Melnikov, a 98-year-old veteran of World War Two, says that war is a terrifying thing. He believes people should be allowed to live freely, without the burden of conflict.
Fyodor’s words are a poignant reminder of the cost of war. As Russia celebrates its victory in 1945, it will also remember friends and family who never returned from battle. It will acknowledge the pain and suffering that comes with conflict.
**Russia’s Military Parade: A Display of Power**
On May 9th, Russia will hold its biggest military parade on Red Square since Soviet times. Tanks will roll down Moscow’s main street, Tverskaya, in a display of Russian military power. World leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, will attend the parade.
But despite the pomp and circumstance, it’s unclear how and when the fighting will end in Ukraine. The Kremlin says 29 world leaders will be attending the parade, but ensuring security for guests on Red Square has become a top priority after two consecutive nights of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow.
**A Nation’s Pride and Pain**
Russia’s Victory Day celebrations are a complex mix of pride and pain. They remind us that war is a terrible thing, and that victory comes at a great cost. As the world watches Russia’s military parade, it will be a day for remembering friends and family who never returned from battle.
In Dubna, where the re-enactment took place, some spectators believe that Russia is still victorious in Ukraine. But for many Russians, like Fyodor Melnikov, this view is not shared. They see war as a terrible thing, and they long for peace.
As Russia celebrates its victory in 1945, it will also celebrate its resilience. Despite the challenges of modern-day conflict, Russia remains proud of its history and its people. And on Victory Day, Russians will come together to remember, reflect, and re-commit themselves to a future without war.
