Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It’s the 80th Anniversary of the national holiday, and Kremlin has announced a 3-day long ceasefire in Ukraine – unless Russia is attacked.
It’s the 80th Anniversary of the national holiday, and Kremlin has announced a 3-day long ceasefire in Ukraine – unless Russia is attacked.
Victory Day
May 9th is known as “Victory Day” in Russia, but which victory is celebrated? And how? And what does it have to do with the ongoing war in Ukraine?
Defeat of the Nazis
“Victory Day” is a holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi-Germany in 1945. It was first held in the 15 republics of the then Soviet Union in 1945. It has been a non-labor day since 1965.
Russian “birthday”
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation was formed. May 9th is officially recognized as the formation of the federation, and if May 9th comes aorund during the weekend, the following Monday will be a non-labor day.
VE-Day across Europa
Many other countries i Europe mark May 8th or May 9th as national remembrance or victory days.
Military Parade
“Victory Day” is celebrated in Russia with an annual military of the Russian Armed Forces. The most important parade is being held in Moscow at the Red Square, where the President of Russia (currently Vladimir Putin) as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.
Speciel guests
On May 6th, Russian state-controlled media reported that military personnel from 13 different countries will be part of the parade, and that 29 foreign leaders will attend the parade as well.
Ukraine’s counter
May 9th will also be celebrated in Ukraine. In 2025, Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to the Capitol of Ukraine, Kyiv, to counter the Russian celebration.
3-day ceasefire
Late April, Vladimir Putin announced a 3-day ceasefire in Ukraine to honor the holiday. As of Wednesday, those orders have not been altered, but Kremlin warns that it will retaliate if attacked during the ceasefire.
The embarrasing 2023 parade
During the parade in 2023, Russia was internationally ridiculed for including only one single tank. Kremlin didn’t give an explanation for the lack of tanks, but international observers took it as a sign of almost all of Russia’s military equipment being deployed in Ukraine.
Aircrafts joining in?
Rumors are that, for the first time in three years, the military parade will include aerial units.