Victory Day: Russia’s Show of Strength and Strategy

On 9 May 2025, Russia marked Victory Day, commemorating 80 years since the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany. Leaders and dignitaries from 29 countries attended, highlighting its continued global significance.

For Russia, Victory Day is a demonstration of national strength and geopolitical assertion and serves as a reminder of its decisive role in reshaping the global order post-1945. The Soviet military’s victories contributed to the division of Europe, the establishment of NATO, and the genesis of the Cold War.

The first Victory Day was observed in 1945, following the Soviet Union’s declaration of triumph over Nazi Germany. Only in 1965, the 20th anniversary, did it become an official public holiday in the Soviet Union. Under Soviet governance, Victory Day was celebrated with military parades, grand public speeches, and remembrance of the millions who perished during the Great Patriotic War, as it was referred to in Russia.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a temporary decline in these celebrations, reflecting the nation’s broader struggle with identity and economic instability. However, under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, the tradition was revitalised and expanded, emphasising military pride, state strength, and historical continuity.

Victory Day also became a cornerstone of Soviet-era propaganda and education, with textbooks, films, and political narratives highlighting Soviet heroism and unity against fascist aggression.

On this day, Moscow’s Red Square is witness to a military parade with tanks, missile launchers, and troops marching in synchronised formations. Regional parades mirror this spectacle across the nation.

Citizens march carrying portraits of relatives who fought during the war. This movement, which is known as The Immortal Regiment, began in 2012 and has grown into a nationwide event. Victory Day concludes with grand fireworks displays and state-sponsored concerts.

Russian media and educational institutions for Victory include documentaries, historical retrospectives, and veterans’ interviews, aimed at preserving the memory of the war for future generations.

Political Significance

Under Putin’s governance, the event has become a means to project Russian strength and challenge Western narratives about the global order. It also serves as a reminder of Russia’s historical contributions to global stability and its opposition to perceived Western encroachment.

Domestically, Victory Day unites the populace under a banner of patriotism and collective memory, reinforcing state authority and national pride. Internationally, it serves as a statement of military readiness and geopolitical influence, particularly amidst rising tensions with NATO and Western governments.

Geopolitical and Strategic Messages

The elaborate military displays on Victory Day are intended not just for domestic celebration but as a demonstration to the global community. Advanced military technologies, strategic missiles, and armoured divisions are paraded to signal Russian strength and deter potential adversaries. Diplomatic attendance—or the conspicuous absence—further serves as a barometer of global political alignments.

Opposition and Criticism

Domestically, critics argue that the event promotes militarism and state propaganda. Some liberal factions accuse the government of exploiting historical memory to bolster political legitimacy and suppress dissent. However, public criticism is limited due to strict censorship and legal penalties for dissenting views.

Internationally, Victory Day is often viewed as a display of aggressive nationalism. Western critics accuse Russia of historical revisionism, particularly regarding Soviet actions in Eastern Europe. Countries like Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states particularly condemn Russia’s narrative for ignoring Soviet occupations and using the legacy of World War II to justify modern aggression in Eastern Europe.

Victory Day 2025: A Reflection of Current Tensions

The 80th anniversary of Victory Day in 2025 carried significant geopolitical weight, shaped by ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In the days leading up to the celebrations, Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks targeting Moscow, disrupting air traffic and heightening security concerns in the capital. Russian authorities reported intercepting multiple drones, yet the attacks underscored the vulnerability of Moscow’s airspace amid escalating conflict.

Further intensifying the geopolitical landscape, President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 11 as a gesture of restraint during the Victory Day period. However, Ukraine dismissed the ceasefire as mere theatrics, accusing Russia of continuing military operations despite the declaration. This symbolic ceasefire, largely ignored by Kyiv, highlighted the widening chasm between the two nations and the futility of diplomatic overtures amid ongoing hostilities.

European countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia denied airspace access to certain foreign leaders heading to Moscow for the event, as part of a wider European stance against Russia’s continued military actions in Ukraine.

The event underscored Russia’s historical narrative and modern ambitions, using displays to project resilience and deter the West. Victory Day remains central to national identity—a show of strength and symbolism as Russia navigates a shifting global order.

(The author is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)