Kathrine Frich
Russia won’t allow its wartime legacy to be rewritten or “slandered.”
Russia won’t allow its wartime legacy to be rewritten or “slandered.”
In his Victory Day address in Moscow’s Red Square, Vladimir Putin appeared to fire back at Donald Trump’s recent claim that the United States won both world wars alone.
With China’s President Xi Jinping standing beside him and over 20 world leaders in attendance, Putin reclaimed the Soviet Union’s role as the main victor over Nazi Germany.
A rebuttal that stung deeply in a country where wartime sacrifice remains central to national identity.
Trump’s Provocative Claim
Donald Trump’s comments on Truth Social stirred controversy on both sides of the Atlantic.
He declared, “We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance”, a statement that infuriated many in Russia, where WWII remains sacred.
Putin Fires Back in Red Square
During his Victory Day address, Putin delivered a pointed reminder:
“The Soviet Union took upon itself the strongest attacks of our enemies.”
Without naming Trump directly, the subtext was clear, Russia won’t allow its wartime legacy to be rewritten or “slandered.”
A Painful History: 27 Million Soviet Dead
At the heart of Russia’s emotional response lies a staggering fact: at least 27 million Soviet citizens died during WWII.
For Russians, diminishing this sacrifice is more than political, it strikes at the soul of national memory and pride.
Xi Jinping’s Presence Signals a Shift
President Xi’s attendance was more than symbolic. Standing beside Putin, he underscored Beijing’s tightening alliance with Moscow.
As Western isolation grows, China and Russia are drawing closer, and showing that on global stages like this one.
The Parade: Tanks, Missiles, and a Message
Thousands of troops marched, intercontinental ballistic missiles rolled by, and drones flew overhead.
The parade wasn’t just about remembering the past, it was a show of force aimed at the present, with subtle nods to Ukraine and NATO.
Fighter Jets and the Russian Flag
Jets soared above Moscow, trailing the red, white, and blue of the Russian flag.
The airshow, set against the backdrop of a divided world, was as much about defiance as it was about tribute.
A Parade of Allies and Absentees
More than 20 leaders allied with Moscow attended, including Belarus’s Lukashenko and Brazil’s Lula da Silva.
Notably absent: the West.
Their absence was a strong image of a world increasingly split between rival power blocs.
Ukraine Warns: “A Parade of Cynicism”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Red Square event a “parade of cynicism” and warned attending leaders that their safety couldn’t be guaranteed.
Despite regional drone attacks, the event concluded without incident.
Flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The day ended with Putin and other dignitaries laying red flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It was a solemn moment, but one heavy with political tension, as Russia’s wartime narrative becomes yet another battleground in a divided world.