Victory Day
Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (9 May Moscow Time). The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin.
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A live feed of the Victory Day parade 2025 in Moscow can be watched here.
Posted by b on May 9, 2025 at 7:51 UTC | Permalink
next page »++++ Congratulations on a glorious 9 May Victory Day celebration ++++
UUUUUURRRRRRRAAAAAA to the max on Red Square
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 8:15 utc | 1
Smrt fašizmu, sloboda narodu
On 27 May 1942, aged 26, Filipović was hanged in Valjevo by a Quisling Guard unit. As the rope was put around his neck, Filipović raised his arms and shouted Smrt fašizmu, sloboda narodu! ("Death to fascism, freedom to the people!"). He urged the Yugoslav people to resist and implored them to never cease resisting. A photograph taken at this moment was widely reproduced and became a symbol of anti-fascist resistance. A statue of Filipović was cast in its likeness.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stjepan_Filipovi%C4%87
Posted by: Exile | May 9 2025 8:16 utc | 2
Thanks for this post b.
The world has so much to thank the Russian and Soviet peoples for, including their endurance and suffering in the Great Patriotic War.
Here in the UK, the ruling class and its craven media continue with its revisionist history of WW2 minimising and even denying the crucial role of Russia and bigging up the west’s involvement.
Posted by: Vragtes | May 9 2025 8:24 utc | 3
The most important event of the 20th century: the defeat of European fascism by the Allies and most importantly, by the Soviets, who killed 75% of all the fascists erased from the face of the Earth in WWII, a cool 12 million fascists killed.
The other fascists in Asia, they contributed 3 more million killed and offered themselves as victims of two well-deserved nuclear strikes.
As a result, now the two main fascists nations are weak, docile lapdogs.
This is a celebration of the great fascist die out.
We are seeing now a smaller version of the same in the Ukraines.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | May 9 2025 8:40 utc | 4
https://x.com/RussianEmbassy/status/1920478806122381656
Russian Embassy, UK @RussianEmbassy
💬 Ambassador Kelin: Russia will continue to cherish the memory of the British soldiers, sailors and airmen who were once our allies.
Their audacity and valour in the face of absolute evil will remain a lasting symbol of what nations can achieve when they stand together.
☝️ And perhaps, one day, it will be these very pages of shared history — filled with sacrifice and solidarity — that will quietly reopen paths towards renewed dialogue and trust between our countries.
#Victory80 #VEDay
Posted by: michaelj72 | May 9 2025 8:47 utc | 5
Thanks for the link b
Looks like Russia has a fine day for it
Incredible imagery
Posted by: ld | May 9 2025 8:50 utc | 6
Thanks for the link.
Followed up with an excellent presentation (90 min) in French by the brilliant Annie Lacroix-Riz on the role of the USSR in the Second World War, beginning from before the Munich betrayal of Czechoslovakia in September 1938. Lots of citations from various archives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh8I-proRAY
Posted by: kvp | May 9 2025 9:11 utc | 8
thank you all the brave people in the east for saving us from fascism back in the days.
i would congratulate those brave people from the "allied front" too, but they are currently doing everything possible to erase the memory of (russia)soviet victory by destroying monuments, censoring speech, revisioning history, prohibiting citizens to celebrate may 9th, exhuming soviet graves, and so on.
may the ilk of ursula, kallas et all be reminded forever that their ideology has no place on a peacefull "european continent".
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 9 2025 9:17 utc | 9
I lost almost all of my Russian relatives in the Great Patriotic War, exterminated by the Nazis and to see the British state and the corporate/state media deny the central role of the Soviet Union in defeating German Fascism, with its 27 million dead, fills me with anger, shame and and an enduring sadness.
Posted by: Barofsky | May 9 2025 9:41 utc | 10
80 years on and the Russians are still fighting Nazi's
Posted by: REpublicofscotland | May 9 2025 9:42 utc | 11
Justpassinby | May 9 2025 9:17 utc | 9
"may the ilk of ursula, kallas et all be reminded forever that their ideology has no place on a peacefull "european continent"."
Unfortunately, as Ursula truthfully said, peace is not a European value. She spoke simple truth when she said any celebration of the defeat of Nazism goes against European values. We now see once and for all that "European values" are indelibly Nazistic and dedicated to the total destruction of Russia, for its own sake.
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | May 9 2025 9:43 utc | 12
When freedom of speech was allowed in the USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5TiUhhm7cQ
Posted by: Paul from Norway | May 9 2025 9:55 utc | 13
Renewing with the USSR tradition of showing some hardware never seen before was somehow interesting.
Posted by: Savonarole | May 9 2025 9:57 utc | 14
The atmosphere today in Moscow is wonderfully confident - people understand that the future is being formed here. As a Brit now in my 70's, the feeling of patriotism is new and yet deeply familiar.
In both WWI and WWII Russia made a massive sacrifice that it should be thanked for. We would also never have known about the Balfour Declaration and Sykes -Picot Agreement without the Russian Revolution. If you research anti-Russian sentiment you'll find it was only ever concocted out of innuendo, gossip, and what we might call racist intent today. As imperialist and colonialist always did by saying they were barbarians and they had the wrong religion (in Russia's case the wrong form of Christianity). It's been going on since medieval times and it is about time it stopped.
Posted by: George | May 9 2025 10:31 utc | 16
Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, Victory Day, 9th May 2025: May be useful to some: https://robcampbell.substack.com/p/ukraine-and-world-affairs-weekly-75d
Posted by: The Busker | May 9 2025 11:02 utc | 17
Wowee the interview on German TV with Mme Zakharova...ye gods she lays it all out...the knowledge, the logic and reasoning, exposing the Liberal totalitarianism etc etc ...on rt, Russia is so lucky to have such a quality person in its government.
Brilliant .Exposes that German politicians cannot think for themselves to make their own Germany, hammers into Merkel Scholz Baerbock etc.
Posted by: Jo | May 9 2025 11:34 utc | 18
So Ww2 went like this : the Anglos financed and help the Germans to go against the leftist French (Front Populaire) and Russia (a.k.a USSR), also helping the USSR at the same time... to maximize the continent's self destruction. Destroyed a few French ports and industries "trying" to bomb the krauts.
Then, when it appeared that the Soviets would win and run over Germany, they came "to the rescue". I think De Gaulle hated the sneaky Anglos more than he hated the dumb Germans.
Posted by: Asian Frog | May 9 2025 11:39 utc | 19
To the Victors go the spoils. So, today they have all the rights.
But because doom-n-gloom is the vogue these days, let’s not forget, it was Stalin’s triumph, and the USSR that arose as conqueror, on the backs of Russian serfs.
And we should all be so lucky. After all, today they remember and remain human, while this can’t be said of the Germs or Yanks, or Brits. — who also count themselves to be on the winning side of history.
Posted by: Nothingburgers | May 9 2025 11:56 utc | 20
Wow. What an event. The United States has never had such an event to pay homage to its war heroes. And it never will.
Posted by: Jose Garcia | May 9 2025 11:59 utc | 21
Very dignified and impressive parade. Wow indeed.
Some impressive visualization techniques used with the missiles and fighter jets. Not sure how they made that work!
Thank you to Russia for the sacrifices fighting fascism in the past and present.
Posted by: Norwegian | May 9 2025 12:09 utc | 23
I imagine that Putin must deeply appreciate the show of support by other world leaders.
This may really shift the momentum - into overdrive.
Suspect Trump wishes he could be there.
Posted by: jared | May 9 2025 12:20 utc | 24
Congratulations on victory day, to all allies and especially the former Soviet Union who bore the overwhelming and staggering human cost and without which victory would not have been achievable no matter how much support and sacrifice from everyone else.
However they too would not have done it on their own. Everything was needed and the outcome was still a very close call, maybe miraculous if such a word can be used with many tens of millions dead. It was ugly and dirty and horrible, that is war.
But now there is a new war, a war with many different fronts and the madness is back in many forms including genocide.
Collectively we did not learn enough from last time, we were straight away unable to gain true peace but now we can see it was much worse than that.
In the new war the front is entirely global and multidimensional in the sense of having so many different aspects. It is right where you are no matter where. It is inside your mind and all other minds just as much as in trenches and bombed out cities and countryside. It is in your hearts.
Find your place. Be ready for sacrifice. Do what you can. Try to get better and more capable. Do not expect anything close to perfection, least of all from yourself. Try to avoid empty and broken promises.
People like to believe there were easy clear choices back then and they like to believe the same now but that's not how the world is.
Stay true to your own being as best you can.
If you can make those who are passive or who are enemies see or understand what is happening, or make them think new thoughts and see new perspectives then that can be very valuable. The only real way to do this is to provide your own thoughts and feelings in a manner which invites consideration. Avoid information overload, no one can deal with that. Build from the present. Be pleasant but not fake.
In relation to Gaza, Palestine, and the genocide there this can involve spreading acceptance and support for the resistance and communicating how easily the powers in the world could stop the genocide if they only really wanted to.
In relation to the former Ukraine, former Ukrainians, and the attempted genocide there this can involve making those who have taken or been tricked into taking local identity and nationalism to absurd and murderous extremes understand that they have been led into doom and have been and are being used and betrayed against those who would be their best and closest friends: Russia.
In general across the many tens or hundreds of wars and fronts globally the act of providing good information, understanding/awareness, and vigilance concerning the subterfuge and dirty tricks used against people might be the most important overall. Not only in "the Global South" but also in "the West".
Everyone is under attack. Fight.
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | May 9 2025 12:35 utc | 26
The United States has never had such an event to pay homage to its war heroes. And it never will.
Posted by: Jose Garcia | May 9 2025 11:59 utc | 22
For sure. The closest thing the US has, is the Superbowl pregame ceremony.
Posted by: Milton | May 9 2025 12:35 utc | 27
Milton | May 9 2025 12:35 utc | 27
"The closest thing the US has, is the Superbowl pregame ceremony."
Indeed, it's been a long time since the US political class has even had politics in any meaningful sense of the term, but rather pseudo-tribal loves and hates (neither based on anything anyone in "politics" actually does; Trump Derangement/Devotion Syndrome is just the most extreme manifestation of a universal condition) which occupy the same psychological space as being a fanatical sports fan.
Posted by: Flying Dutchman | May 9 2025 12:46 utc | 28
While I fully support Irish Neutrality during WWII - too soon after war of independence and civil war and partition .... over 120,000 Irish served in the British forces - and many more in the US forces - & Beckett in the French Resistance ... and the heirs of Peter Lacy [who captured Crimea for the Russian Empire] in the Soviet forces .... [we won' mention Churchill here - no friend of Ireland]
In service to their country: Moving tales of Irishmen who fought in WWII
The stories of Irishmen who served in WWII are deeply moving says Geoffrey Roberts
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-20350818.html
and now we are fighting fascism again ... I'm not neutral against fascism
Posted by: Don Firineach | May 9 2025 12:50 utc | 30
The famous iconic photo of the flag planting Soviet soldier atop the Reichstag had a history of image edits applied to it.
The Soviets led the world at that time in image editing techniques,
such as the famous "airbrush" by which enemies of Stalin, for instance, disappeared retrospectively from photos.
In the original Reichstag flag planting photo,
the soldier's hand grabbing the flag pole had 3 or 4 watches strapped around it.
This was because it was the custom of the Soviet soldiers to confiscate the wrist watches of German soldiers who surrendered.
So some soldiers accumulated quite a lot of watches.
However it was considered un-politic for this famous image of Soviet heroism to show all those wrist-watches;
so the watches (except maybe one) were edited out of the photo.
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | May 9 2025 12:55 utc | 31
However it can still be seen that the lower soldier has a wrist watch on both hands.
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | May 9 2025 12:57 utc | 32
Putin and Trump exchange greetings on Victory Day – Moscow
https://www.rt.com/russia/617180-putin-trump-exchange-greetings/
The celebrations in Moscow, including the military parade on Red Square, were attended by upwards of 30 foreign leaders, including those of China, Brazil, Egypt, Slovakia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan. US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy skipped the event despite receiving an invitation, according to TASS.
Pathetic by US Ambassador.
Posted by: Norwegian | May 9 2025 12:59 utc | 33
IT WAS NO VICTORY DAY FOR THE POOR FOLKS THAT STILL HAD TO LIVE UNDER THE IRON CURTAIN.
Posted by: Fortuna | May 9 2025 13:11 utc | 34
Thanks b for the link to the parade. I watched it all. If leaders in the West have also watched the parade, they surely get the feeling that taking a bellicose attitude toward Asia is a futile approach.
Posted by: Richard L | May 9 2025 13:14 utc | 35
Illuminating the anti-Russian racism from the likes of Fortuna etc.
SFSN
Posted by: Exile | May 9 2025 13:17 utc | 36
Posted by: Fortuna | May 9 2025 13:11 utc | 34
Tell me about it: 80 years immiseration under the capitalist yoke while the reverse takeover initiated with Operation Paperclip plays out to end with the Fourth Reich and Empress Ursula.
EEC/EC/EU - a big fat round trip to nowhere.
Posted by: ChatNPC | May 9 2025 13:24 utc | 37
[Surviving] fascists will never forgive Russia, and all its wealth, for killing off Hitler's nazi faction.
Posted by: paddy | May 9 2025 13:27 utc | 38
It is still impossible to improve on the words of Marsgal of the Soviet Union Georgii Zhukov:
“We have liberated Europe from fascism, and they will never forgive us for it."
Posted by: malenkov | May 9 2025 13:29 utc | 39
My first Victory Day celebration was in Yalta, UA. in 2008, but before that I never really knew about the Russian holiday starting on May 1st and getting stronger until May 9th and the celebration. After the first one, and you start to understand how they deal with History thru out the years, it becomes a shame the Americans didn't continue to Honor my Dad and Uncles along with one Aunt, who fought in WW II and were allied with the Soviet Army. Maybe if the American folks start an Immortal Regiment and overrun Washington , the politicians might get a clue and shape up their sorry ass.
Posted by: GMC | May 9 2025 13:32 utc | 40
@ Andrew Sarchus | May 9 2025 12:55 utc | 31
Actually Ismailov was wearing only one item per wrist, and one of the two may have been an Adrianov compass. But it’s nice to see where your 9 May priorities lie.
Posted by: malenkov | May 9 2025 13:33 utc | 41
Never much cared for marching band music. Military marching band especially. Listening to this just amazing. A mass of dozens of trumpets and plainly audible that each player is giving it his heartfelt best. Playing in unison and it almost comes across as jazz improv.
Posted by: oldhippie | May 9 2025 13:47 utc | 43
Look at this:
Robert Fico's flight itinerary to reach Moscow for #VictoryDay. The EU is so democratic that EU countries will close their airspace to flights from leaders of sovreign countries that dare to attend to parades that Bruxelles does not like. (Shoutout to SamidzatScriptorium on this one).https://t.me/Slavyangrad/126775
Posted by: Norwegian | May 9 2025 13:58 utc | 44
Shining in eternal glory, the Red Army and its gallant heirs
Posted by: Cuffy | May 9 2025 13:59 utc | 45
@ #12:
Marshal Zhukov once said, "We have liberated Europe from fascism, but they will never forgive us for it"
How prescient!
Posted by: Chrisssie | May 9 2025 14:12 utc | 46
Don Firineach | May 9 2025 12:50 utc | 30
Many Irishmen who fought in WW1 and WW2 found they were in trouble in Ireland - quite a few had to leave including my wife's grandfather. Serving in WW1 made him a "Brit" in South Cork...
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 14:27 utc | 47
Actually Ismailov was wearing only one item per wrist, and one of the two may have been an Adrianov compass. But it’s nice to see where your 9 May priorities lie.
Posted by: malenkov | May 9 2025 13:33 utc | 41
I am full of gratitude and praise for the Russian / Soviet army who defeated Hitler's Nazis and always have to clean up Europe's mess e.g. Napolean, Von der Leyen etc.
I'm just also interested in the historical details of the Reichstag photo.
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | May 9 2025 14:58 utc | 48
“We have liberated Europe from fascism, but they will never forgive us for it.”
Posted by: Fred777 | May 9 2025 15:07 utc | 50
great honour and respect to russia for its role in ww2 and beyond into today...
Posted by: james | May 9 2025 15:25 utc | 51
Posted by: oldhippie | May 9 2025 13:47 utc | 43
I'm not a fan of military music either, but I have to admit every time I hear the Slavyanka Farewell my eyes get watery, probably because a group of Russian friends plugged it on their ship to say good bye buddy, it was nice working with you. If you've watched the great Soviet film "The flight of the cranes" your eyes will go watery too, if you have not it's never too late, a film worth watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quz5XWqvqz4
A version with decent audio, unlike the previous one from the film.
https://youtu.be/luSnOiYD-oE?t=13
Posted by: Paco | May 9 2025 15:27 utc | 52
Just finished viewing the 104 photos of the event posted here, and there could've been more. The close-ups of the troops as they perform "Eyes Right" going past President Putin's podium is always revealing, like these and these. And then there're the remaining vets from WW2. This man I've seen at many parades; he's 102 as I recall. And Here're a few more.
День Победы!!
Thank you for the link to the Victory Day Parade in Moscow celebrating and commemorating the 80th year since the defeat of the fascists.
It was very moving to watch the civilized leaders of the world gather and remember the sacrifice made by so many many millions — made for us. I am not an emotional person but even i had tears in my eyes.
It is shameful for me — as someone born in California and who is a little bit younger than Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin but not much, that US officials were not present and instead inhabit the dark side. I saw Ray McGovern in the review stand representing some of us. Thank you Ray.
May the people here in this fallen land where 4% of the world’s population consumes 80% of global opioids fully comprehend the lies they are being fed and resist — in the spirit of true human liberation. We have examples!
Posted by: suzan | May 9 2025 15:37 utc | 54
Thanks for this link, B. Love it. That's what I come to the bar for.
Long live noble Russia and it's world historic, heroic people! Keep crushing the Nazis wherever and whenever their dirty little heads pop up!
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | May 9 2025 15:39 utc | 55
Thanks for the posting b
I live in the belly of the current fascist beast trying to maintain hegemony over the world.
I appreciate the existence and community of this site supporting my read of history. What is it about our species that we have folks strongly on both sides of humanism/anti-humanism? Is is biological or "spiritual"? Whatever it is our species has shown adaptability in the past and hopefully we will continue to survive.
Russia is doing what it can to focus its citizens on the history of it population's conflict past and need to stay steadfast for the future.
Posted by: psychohistorian | May 9 2025 16:01 utc | 56
Vragtes | May 9 2025 8:24 utc | 3
*** Here in the UK, the ruling class and its craven media continue with its revisionist history of WW2 minimising and even denying the crucial role of Russia and bigging up the west’s involvement.***
Goes further than that -- decades of the rulers of the USA claiming every success and just about writing Britain and its casualties out of WW2 ... well ok so that's them (ever-full of Hollywood crap) but the UK Political Establishment has not complained about them doing that.
Which indicates rather a lot about the UK Establishment ....
collaborators and quislings of an 8-decade long US economic, cultural, ideological and military occupation.
Posted by: Cynic | May 9 2025 17:04 utc | 57
Johan Kaspar | May 9 2025 8:40 utc | 4
*** As a result, now the two main fascists nations are weak, docile lapdogs.
This is a celebration of the great fascist die out.***
The USA and UK did not die out.
The USA claims it won.
Certainly celebrate the Soviet Union's victory against Germany, but what you call "fascism" did not lose ... it is still very much there, headquartered in Brussels and Washington -- backed by transnational institutions including the IMF, World Bank, City of London and Blackrock ... increasingly corrupt and violently enforced by the US-empire including NATO, plus the Zionists.
Posted by: Cynic | May 9 2025 17:16 utc | 58
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick "The Dick" Schoof, has accidentally revealed that the minimum national military spending percentage for NATO members will be increased to 5% of GDP by 2032This information was classified, and neither the exact percentage nor the timeframe for its implementation was known until Dick accidentally talked about it during a press conference.
Posted by: Apollyon | May 9 2025 17:17 utc | 59
57 - I attended the commemoration at the monument near the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth, South London. Ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan and probably the DPRK and other states turned up and laid wreaths. There was a small protest by Kiev's supporters but they were outnumbered at least six to one, probably more. I spoke to a Russian who was waving two flags, one of them the Victory Flag modelled on the one that was hoisted over the Reichstag. I asked how I could get one like it. Result? He actually gave his flag to me.
Posted by: Waldorf | May 9 2025 17:19 utc | 60
🇱🇹A garbage container with the inscription "For carnations, candles and Soviet nostalgia" has appeared in Lithuania"I call on everyone <...> to celebrate Europe Day," said Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas, who posted a photo of the container.
petty and pathetic.
🇪🇪 On May 9th—Victory Day—authorities in Narva, Estonia, decided to stage a stunt. They hung a massive banner on the medieval castle facing Russia, merging images of Putin and Hitler in a crude attempt at propaganda. (sidenote: the merged image reads "putler")
But nature intervened: the wind twisted the banner into the shape of the letter Z—the very symbol they sought to mock.
While Estonian officials worked to erase any trace of Victory Day, the people of Narva had other plans. As is now tradition, locals gathered along the riverbank to watch the Victory Parade broadcast from Ivangorod, just across the water in Russia.
of course the nazis have a banner of hitler lying around.
🇮🇱🇷🇺🇺🇦 In Israel, participants of the Immortal Regiment march shoved a man into a fountain after he held a sign reading: “Don’t defile our grandfathers’ memory—they didn’t bomb Kiev.”Some channels report the man was Ukrainian. Marchers called him a “Banderite” and a “moron.”
even in israel they want none of this shit.
and lastly, unelected installed nazi bitch and second in command of the fourth reich, the eu, kaja kallas, had a meltdown, because fico went to moscow. while first in command, reichs gauleiterin ursula "goebbels" fond of lying, was screeching something about "europe day" (pathetic) and how no anthem playing on the red square can cover the sound of "justice" coming. something about some tribunal launching in lvov.
petty and pathetic.
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 9 2025 17:22 utc | 62
Why does Xi always have that "sour" look.
I imagine that that is considered appropriate in China but comes across as arrogant or disapproving.
The body language between Putin and Xi - not good.
Now, Lukashenko is something else - looks like they would want to skip the ceremony and get a beer.
Posted by: jared | May 9 2025 17:33 utc | 63
Justpassinby @ 62
and lastly, unelected installed nazi bitch and second in command of the fourth reich, the eu, kaja kallas, had a meltdown, because fico went to moscow
The reason the EU was apoplectic over Vucic and Fico attending was because it contradicted and interfered with the construction of the 4th Reich narrative, they wanted the Golden Billion to see a picture of Russia allied only with asians, latinos, and africans, the unwashed hordes, no white christians present. Vucic and Fico knowingly threw a stick in the 4th Reich spokes. One day when it's all over the victors will put up statues and name boulevards to the two them across Europe.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 17:33 utc | 64
Russia’s victory today is the implosion of socialism in 1991. They lost, with a capital ‘L’, the Cold War. And this loss was a win for the serfs, the common man. This is like a cliche but it’s true . . . consider for instance how Solzhenitsyn proudly wore officer stripes at the front, until he crossed his sword with Stalins, and went from hero to zero overnight, ie.,the gulag.
Likely will be the case, that the collapse of our beloved Whore of Babylon, aka, ‘Murka, will reap some eventual dividends too, for the hapless hoodwinked robots. A chance to truly see themselves as they are, without false pretenses. The logical question is at what cost? — and will anyone survive to tell about it?
Posted by: Nothingburgers | May 9 2025 17:42 utc | 65
Apollyon | May 9 2025 17:19 utc | 61
*** https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33578174 ***
Epic hypocrisy by the UK propaganda flagship of Zionazi oligarch Rupert Murdoch!
Posted by: Cynic | May 9 2025 17:45 utc | 66
jared @ 63
Now, Lukashenko is something else - looks like they would want to skip the ceremony and get a beer.
You really have nothing else to keep you busy? Looks to me like Lukashenko was moved enough to shed a tear at the laying of flowers at the eternal flame. Pissing on a commemoration of the defeat of nazi-fascism goes beyond condemnation of trolling to damnation to eternal hellfire.
Hate to tell you but normal people with an honest countenance win wars not the macho cartoon generals of the USA and the lot of one-dimensional pretty boys and girls running the EU, like the shallow Kallas, chosen for nothing other than her central casting Gwyneth Paltrow appeal to the zombies of the golden billion.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 17:49 utc | 67
The boorishness of the USA and Europe is revealed in all its "caught with pants down" glory.
All we see is hairy asses.
There is not a smidgeon of grace, of honesty, of "class" in any of these dwarfish goblins who insult the Russian people and strong-arm their fellow goblins, and their citizens, to do the same.
Fortunately a few citizens are able to rise above this shameful s--- and show respect and express congratulations.
Posted by: Jane | May 9 2025 17:59 utc | 68
Wowee the interview on German TV with Mme Zakharova...ye gods she lays it all out...the knowledge, the logic and reasoning, exposing the Liberal totalitarianism etc etc ...on rt, Russia is so lucky to have such a quality person in its government.
Brilliant .Exposes that German politicians cannot think for themselves to make their own Germany, hammers into Merkel Scholz Baerbock etc.
Posted by: Jo | May 9 2025 11:34 utc | 18
=============
Can you provide a link, please?
Thanks.
Posted by: Jane | May 9 2025 18:02 utc | 69
Ukrainian losses for the week May 3rd to May 8th, as reported by the Russian defence ministry:
- Kursk & Kharkov fronts: 1,445 troops, 10 tanks, 34 LAV/HMV, 95 motor vehicles, 24 artillery pieces.
- Zapad Group (Luhansk area): 1,495 troops, 2 tanks, 2 APC, 8 LAV/HMV, 62 motor vehicles, 26 artillery pieces, 2 MLRS, 12 EW and counter-battery systems.
- Yug Group (Donetsk north): 1,860 troops, 1 tank, 2 IFV, 9 APC, 18 LAV/HMV, 48 motor vehicles, 33 artillery pieces, 2 EW systems.
- Tsetr Group (Donetsk south): 3,015 troops, 7 tanks, 22 LAV/ HMV, 44 motor vehicles, 22 artillery pieces, 1 MLRS.
- Vostok Group (southern front): 1,255 troops, 1 tank, 13 LAV/HMV, 39 motor vehicles, 27 artillery piece, 6 EW systems.
- Dnepr Group: 410 troops, 3 LAV/HMV, 28 motor vehicles, 4 artillery pieces, 6 EW systems.
In total: 9,490 troops - an decrease from the previous week, but affected by the Victory Day ceasefire (41,123 per month, with undercounting probably around 45,000 plus). Still half the 90,000 a month losses during the Autumn, even with the ceasefire.
21 tanks (10 in Kursk/Kharkov), 1 IFV, 11 APC, 98 HMV/Light Armoured Vehicle (34 in Kursk/Khakrov). Seems that the Ukrainians threw whatever good tanks and IFV/APC they had left to try to “spoil” the Victory Day - an utter waste. 316 motor vehicles.
136 artillery pieces (24 in Kursk/Kharkov). A rate of 589/mth, still a none maintainable rate of attrition. Plus 26 EW and Counter Battery systems, and 3 MLRS.
What a waste of men and material in attempting to score “publicity” victories. This will just make it easier for the Russians after the ceasefire.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | May 9 2025 18:02 utc | 70
65 - 1991 was the hopefully temporary victory of NATO. Russians living outside of Russia proper suddenly became "occupiers" in Latvia, Estonia and other places, and later in Ukraine. Russia itself was a basket case. The "Western" rage at Putin is really that he has at least partly stopped the rot.
Posted by: Waldorf | May 9 2025 18:05 utc | 71
Apollyon @ 61 / Cynic @ 66
The royals weren't giving the Nazi salute, the picture is a chronosynclastic infundibulum capturing a historically anticipated maneki-neko beckoning wave to Elon Musk and Steve Bannon.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 18:12 utc | 72
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | May 9 2025 12:35 utc | 26
Good advice. Copied and saved. Thanks.
Posted by: Lantern Dude | May 9 2025 18:19 utc | 73
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | May 9 2025 12:55 utc | 31
RE: wristwatches as war badges/souvenirs
<<
Cool info.
I'm sure there were some Swiss movements in those trophies
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 18:28 utc | 75
Posted by: Cynic | May 9 2025 17:16 utc | 58
RE: the U.S. claims it won
<<
When the SMO concludes successfully in a full-military victory for Russia, DJT will post on Truth Social that the U.S. won the Ukraine War with a little help from Russia
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 18:36 utc | 76
Posted by: suzan | May 9 2025 15:37 utc | 54
RE: the U.S. ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy
<<
Our U.S. ambassador is currently in Moscow and did receive an invitation from the Kremlin to attend 9 May events on Red Square, but she opted not to go.
In that the country she represents is fighting a proxy war against Russia, it would no doubt be hard to fig-leaf her presence during the parade. Until the U.S. lays down arms, it is difficult to imagine any full-on public normality coming from the U.S. Embassy.
BTW: Joe nominated Tracy in 2022, she assumed the post in early 2023---and DJT opted to retain her. One of the first ambassadors in a while who speaks Russian, which maybe does not say much in our day & age: Mrs. Nuland was fluent in Russian, having been a Russia Studies Major.
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 18:48 utc | 77
The Event was well worth the time invested to watch. Those chosen to perform will have a well imbedded memory. I guess this makes Putin's 20th as head-of-state. I wonder if one stands out from the others? And I'm sure he attended before becoming President. It was an excellent day for a parade. Moscow was very crisp looking.
At 09:45 am in the cold Autumn of September 27, 1944 sitting at one of his favourite oak chairs, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (WLC) wrote a letter to Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (JVS).
In WLC's letter to JVS, one can read:
“I shall take the occasion to repeat tomorrow in the House of Commons what I have said before that it is the Russian army that tore the guts out of the German military machine and is at the present moment holding by far the larger portion of the enemy on its front,”, WLC wrote.
God bless the fatherland.
Posted by: pepe | May 9 2025 19:14 utc | 79
Place your votes for which holiday will finally catch fire with the public in Clown World?
A)Kwanzaa
B)Festivus
C)Europe Day
Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian users have been searching Google for congratulations, postcards, and broadcasts of the parade in Moscow. This is according to Google Trends data.Kiev has been celebrating “Europe Day” instead of May 9 for two years now, but interest in Victory Day among Ukrainians has not waned. Veterans are only allowed to wear medals on the inside of their jackets, are prohibited from singing Victory songs in Russian, and are prohibited from wearing the St. George ribbon under threat of reprisal.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 19:34 utc | 80
Thanks a lot b.
I'm really impressed by Putin. First, standing for a very long time, handshaking all the incoming guests one by one. And then, standing, standing, walking, walking, handshaking, handshaking and saying something to everybody. I'm the same age. I couldn't last an hour.
By the way, someone in here mentioned a "sour" body language between him and Xi; IMO it was cordial and brilliant. People really have different impressions ...
Posted by: Avtonom | May 9 2025 19:47 utc | 81
The 'other fascists in Asia, they contributed 3 more million killed and offered themselves as victims of two well-deserved nuclear strikes.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | May 9 2025 8:40 utc | 4"
Chinese casualties in the war with Japan (1931-45) were around 30 million, not 3. Probably a simple power of ten mistake in translation, common enough. Cities in Manchuria have a variety of Soviet war memorials, celebrating being liberated by the Red army. Changchun, eg, has a sizeable pylon with a model of a Soviet fight-bomber on top. Later on, only the Soviets tried any of the Unit 731 doctors for their vile crimes against humanity.
Posted by: lester | May 9 2025 19:50 utc | 82
US govt and media always de-emphasized the Soviet defeat of Hitler, to boast of US contributions, late
though they were. Lots of Americans had been sympathetic to the Nazis before the war. Since about 1950, our supposed noble opposition to Hitler excused all kinds of atrocities in Vietnam, Iraq, too many other places. :-(
Posted by: lester | May 9 2025 19:56 utc | 83
I'm going with A) Kwanzaa:
https://t.me/ForeignAgentIntel/14684
EU's Kallas and European FMs gather in Lvov for 'Europe Day'. Kaja looks particularly thrilledPosted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 20:00 utc | 84
Posted by: Exile | May 9 2025 13:17 utc | 36
Translation:
Smrt Fašizmu, Sloboda Narodu
Posted by: Naive | May 9 2025 20:07 utc | 85
Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | May 9 2025 20:26 utc | 86
From the US embassy in "Kyiv":
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine (May 9, 2025)
"Event: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received information concerning a potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days. The Embassy, as always, recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."
I was sort of expecting the Nazi clowns in Kiev to come up with exactly that brilliant idea. Try to bomb Moscow on or around May 9, to derail the ceremony and embarass the Russian government, while counting on the Russians not to retaliate because Kiev's assorted enablers are all conveniently gathered together in Kiev and Russia wouldn't dare put them in harm's way. It's exactly Zelensky's MO.
Please, Mother Russia, put an end to this freak show.
Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | May 9 2025 20:28 utc | 87
Meanwhile Nazis 'United Again To Defeat the Global Aggressor'...
17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum
https://www.youtube.com/@OpenUkraine/streams
'UA: United Again': Grotesque banderite revision of history and future.
Posted by: JohnGilberts | May 9 2025 20:39 utc | 88
When the SMO concludes successfully in a full-military victory for Russia, DJT will post on Truth Social that the U.S. won the Ukraine War with a little help from Russia
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 18:36 utc | 76
Hilarious and true!
Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 9 2025 20:41 utc | 89
Fico to Kaja Kallas:
"Dear Kaja, I have repeatedly noted your statements regarding my visit to Moscow and meeting with President Putin. Apparently, I am not on the 'right side of history' or other such profound geopolitical considerations.
First, I am in Moscow to pay tribute to over 60,000 Red Army soldiers who died liberating Slovakia. I fail to see what these brave people have to do with the current international situation.
Second, as a senior EU Commission official, you have no right to criticize the sovereign prime minister of a sovereign country who constructively engages with the entire European agenda.
Third, I disagree with the policy of a new Iron Curtain that you are so intensively working to erect.
Fourth, how can diplomacy and foreign policy be conducted if politicians are not allowed to meet and hold normal dialogue on issues where they have differing opinions?"
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 20:52 utc | 90
First, European WW2 victory ceremonies do not acknowledge who did the main work of defeating Hitler, by sacrificing 27 millions of their own people, while American losses in WW2 are way below 1 million, and America had Stalin wait for two years until they finally opened a second front.
Second, they even locked the Russians out of European ceremonies.
Statues commemorating the Russian victory are being torn down in the Baltic States.
Third, UvdL saw to it that nobody in EU (with the exception of Robert Fico) dared to visite the Russian parade.
Fourth, Selenski did all he could to scare potential visitors away from the parade, by threatening a drone attack. It is well known in what spot Putin and his guests are supposed to stay during the parade.
All of the above are targeted at spoiling the Russian holiday, by all possible means they can get hold of. All of this does not relate to the Ukraine war, but if you asked any of these perpetrators for their motives, they would certainly answer that all of these measures are justified by the "cruel and unprovoked Russian war of aggression".
If similar things happen on a group-person level, it is known as mobbing. It is hard to see why that same expression is not being used for the standoff between the EU countries and Russia. Such revenge seeking of the lowest level is typical for a (German) schoolyard. They aim at inflicting the maximum hurt on Putin, although he has done nothing to deserve it from them.
I think it has really become a competition in Brussels after issuing 16 packages of sanctions, a competiton of producing the most damaging shit, a competition that everybody must join in order to avoid damage to their careers.
Posted by: grunzt | May 9 2025 20:53 utc | 91
grunzt | May 9 2025 20:53 utc | 91
"America had Stalin wait for two years until they finally opened a second front"
We must be fair
a) USSR had UK/France wait nearly two years, and by that time France had gone.
b) a second front on the European continent really would not have been possible before summer 1944, and only then because the German codes were being read.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 20:59 utc | 92
Thanks to the Red Army!
From a non socialist.
Without them the world of today would be a much sadder place!
https://youtu.be/_sxTbfeYdO0?si=NAnPvniLt9D9Inrr
Posted by: Aarsupilani | May 9 2025 21:03 utc | 93
If similar things happen on a group-person level, it is known as mobbing.Posted by: grunzt | May 9 2025 20:53 utc | 91
which is quite funny, seeing as how the mobber/bully nato not too long ago said something along the lines of "its an unjust world when a big country can bully a smaller one!".
guess we found one of those fabled "values" from the natostans: mobbing.
Posted by: Justpassinby | May 9 2025 21:03 utc | 94
grunzt @ 91
...Selenski did all he could to scare potential visitors away from the parade... but if you asked any of these perpetrators for their motives, they would certainly answer that all of these measures are justified by the "cruel and unprovoked Russian war of aggression"
Not sure how real the below is, flip a coin, it would be nice if it was, but there was talk last week that China communicated via France in clear terms to call off their dogs in Ukraine or else there would be serious consequences, this would fit into that. For myself I think NATO-USA and obviously the dogs want to provoke an escalation but not one that would give Russia and its allies the indisputable moral high ground. They are clods, but that's too big a whoopsie.
China will qualify the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attack on Red Square during the Victory Parade as an attempt to assassinate Xi Jinping and an armed attack by Ukraine. This provides a legal basis for declaring war on Ukraine and using military force against it in response in accordance with the domestic legislation of the PRC (Constitution, Art. 80; National Defense Law, Art. 10-11), the AMVETS urgent digest reports.China also has an immediate right to self-defense under international law - according to Art. 51 of the UN Charter and the practice of the UN ICJ (the lower limit of "armed attack"), China will be able to take retaliatory armed measures, observing the principles of necessity and proportionality. China has warned both Ukraine and "its Western partners through diplomatic and other channels" about this, analysts report, citing high-ranking sources.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | May 9 2025 21:24 utc | 95
@ YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 14:27 utc | 47
A difficult context to return to following 1916 rising and the following war of independence where many of the freedom fighters had received their military training while in the British Army. On WWII it could have started another civil war had Ireland joined in on the British side .... but as Prof Geoffrey Roberts notes in the piece I linked to 120,000 Irish did join in. Not insignificant.
Another hero who kept a low profile on return to Ireland was Tom Crean - who was with Shackelton [also an Irishman] on that famous sea vovage to St. Georgia and the trek across the mountain to the whaling station. Bought a pub and lived quietly.
Posted by: Don Firineach | May 9 2025 22:29 utc | 96
Hah!
"Several Ukrainian servicemen invited to take part in the ceremonial parade in honor of Europe Day in London have not responded to calls after the event. According to BBC sources, three Ukrainian servicemen have not returned to their group's location and are not answering phone calls. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the disappearance, but declined to comment on possible reasons."
If I remember there were only 11 or 12 troops actually marching, so that's quite the proportion - around 25%.
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 22:31 utc | 97
Don Firineach | May 9 2025 22:29 utc | 96
If you know about Tom Crean, his colleague Pat Keohane did have to leave Cork... died in Plymouth
Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 9 2025 22:38 utc | 98
Fred Small's song from album "I Will Stand Fast" commemorating the Elbe Day, the 25th of April 1945, when the American and Soviet troops met at the Elbe River, near Torgau in Germany.
Well mister I just overheard you talking through your drink
How the Russians lie like rugs how they've pushed us to the brink
Now sit right here beside me I've an old man's tale to tell
How Yanks and Reds were friends once at the Elbe.
My name is Joe Polowski I hitched up in '41
Left my sweetheart in Chicago and I learned to fire a gun
The fog in the Ardennes so thick you could not see your nose
Nor the ghosts in the Belgian wood advancing through the snow.
We left our dead behind us and we scaled the Dragon's Teeth
With screaming mimis overhead not one of us could sleep
Some fell to the enemy some fell to the creeping cold
And I killed a German sniper who was not fourteen years old.
When a soldier takes a hit my friend it ain't like Hollywood
Bone and guts go flying and everywhere there's blood
For a moment he is mystified there must be some mistake
As it all drains out in a crimson lake.
Then April turned the weather and likewise the tide of war
As haggard hungry Germans surrendered by the score
And thank god for the Russians who took the battle's brunt
And broke the back of the Wermacht along the eastern front. Then..
We saw a burst of lilacs and the river swift and wide
And rest and welcome waiting for us on the other side
And Yanks and Reds laughed out loud to be alive at the Elbe.
We caught the glint of water and upon the distant shore
Men and trucks and horses not German and not ours
No bridge to cross but at the dock a boat securely tied
We blew the chain and rowed like demons for the other side.
But when we stepped up on the land oh Jesus what a sight
Blackened bodies of civilians like driftwood piled high
Cut down by stray artillery -- what the hell is it all for
We knelt and cursed the cruelty and madness men call war.
Three Russians approached us, we shook hands and then embraced
Stalingrad had traced its lines of sadness on their face
Upon that field of corpses these weary happy men
Swore an oath that it must never happen again.
And then we wept and cheered and spoke in languages unknown
They poured us Russian vodka by god we drank it down
We sang "The Volga Boatman" they sang "Tavern in the Town"
I never kissed so many men as on that afternoon when..
We saw a burst of lilacs and the river swift and wide
And rest and welcome waiting for us on the other side
And Yanks and Reds laughed out loud to be alive at the Elbe.
But no sooner were we stateside than the cold war headlines read
Commies in the unions! Commies under every bed!
Hurrah the Nazi devil's down long live the devil Red
And not one word about the oath we swore amongst the dead.
There are kids today who'll tell you we fought Russia in the war
There are armchair heroes set to settle some old score
There are profiteers and pushers primed to send young men once more
To blow themselves to glory on some godforsaken shore.
So drape my coffin with the flag of the good old USA
Let Yanks in army khaki and Reds in Russian gray
Lower me so gently into the German clay
And speak again the oath we swore that day when
We saw a burst of lilacs and the river swift and wide
And rest and welcome waiting for us on the other side
And Yanks and Reds laughed out loud to be alive at the Elbe.
...at the Elbe
_____________
SFSN
Posted by: scanalyse | May 9 2025 22:49 utc | 99
VVP and Xi have held a series of meetings over the course of the Victory Day events. So many of the topics they discuss are heavily classified, so it's clear why read-outs never get published.
The entire Chinese delegation participated in several of these meetings, alongside VVP and Xi. It sounds like the Power of Siberia pipeline is a definite go, however, though a signing session is not immediately on tap.
Concerning is the hovering presence of the U.S. over the relations between China and Russia. DJT's team will attempt to dangle some tariff concessions if it can pry China from Russia's partnership.
I don't think this is possible, on the Chinese side, however, simply because the U.S. seems incapable of offering much.
Weirdly, when it comes to the U.S., sometimes the *carrot* is actually the *stick*
Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 9 2025 23:31 utc | 100
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