Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia Editor
BBC
Eighty miles from Moscow, the park echoes with the sound of explosions and gunfires.
As thick grey smoke feathers rise into the air, the Red Army crosses the bridge and fights for control of the small island. More Soviet soldiers have arrived by boat from across the lake.
Once on the island they dismantle the sw and replace it with a Soviet hammer and sickle. victory.
A large number of people are looking at the coast from the safety of the coast. What they are witnessing is the historical re-enactment of one of the final battles in Berlin in 1945. It led to Nazi Germany’s surrender and what Moscow still calls a big victory.
The Battle for Berlin unfolding right in front of the eyes in the town of Dubna is one of many events in Russia commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.
Katia’s grandfather died in World War II. Today, her son is fighting in Ukraine
This anniversary is attracting great attention in a country where national ideas are so highly developed, centering around the concept of Russia as Victor and the victims.
“My grandfather fought this war so I’m here,” Katia, one of the audience, tells me.
“He went missing near Berlin. It turns out he was killed in January 1945.”
Katia’s son has been fighting in Ukraine for 80 years.
“My son is at war now. He is in a ‘special military operation’,” she tells me. “He volunteered. I tried to talk to him, but he hadn’t listened to anyone since he was a child.
“I am my emperor,” he told me. “I’ll go to battle, if you’re the emperor,” I replied. He and his friends went together. His friend was killed. ”
Katya’s family history tells the story of various generations fighting at the forefront.
But in a very different situation.
In 1941, Hitler’s Germany invaded the Soviet Union, conquering the world’s largest nation and attempting to secure world domination. Soviet soldiers (of which Katya’s grandfather) fought to free their country from the Nazis. The victory in Moscow came at a massive human cost. More than 27 million Soviet citizens were killed here, and here it was known as the Great Homeland or Great Patriotic War.
Moscow Metro has two special “Victory Trains”
However, in 2022 it was Russia that launched a massive invasion of its neighbors. What the Kremlin still calls “a special military operation” was widely seen as an attempt to push Ukraine back into Russia’s geopolitical trajectory. In March 2022, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s “attack.”
Still, Russian authorities portray the war in Ukraine as a continuation of World War II. The official story here creates the parallel reality that Russia once again is fighting Nazism and fascism across Ukraine and across Europe. Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine, has shown its status as a victim of external attacks.
“Historically and sociologically, victory in the Great Patriotic War has always been the basis of Russia’s unified consciousness,” explains Andrei Kolesnikov, columnist for Novaya Gazeta.
“But what’s going on now is something special. Now, the great patriotic war is presented as the first step in a permanent war with the West and the first step against “Europhsism.” Special military operations as a continuation of the great patriotic war: this is new. ”
In Russia, television plays an important role in spreading the official message that Europe was not trusted at the time and is now unreliable. Recently, I saw a documentary on Russian television entitled “Russia against Europe. Hitler’s Crusades.” It was about the way European countries worked with the Nazis during World War II.
References to the 1939 non-attack agreement between Hitler and Stalin: Under its secret protocol, Germany and the Soviet Union were carving out the realm of influence in Eastern Europe.
Last month, a Russian television presenter launched Tillard against German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, a stubborn supporter of military support for Ukraine. The talk show host was called German leader “A NAZI SCUMBAG” for comments about Russia. The anchor spoke directly to the prime minister, saying that the Russians “have the responsibility of you and your comrades to kill 27 million Soviet citizens.”
The town’s new monument shows soldiers from World War II and soldiers fighting in Ukraine
Iconic images support ideology. In the town of Kinki near Moscow, the recently announced monument depicts Red Army soldiers alongside Russians fighting in Ukraine. Framed photos of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine are placed under the figures of two fighter jets.
The inscription says, “By protecting the past, protecting the future!”
Wars of the Past and Present: Gathered in Bronze.
Until the day of victory, Russia reminded us of a great victory. Last month, a Soyuz rocket decorated to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat exploded from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Back on Earth, at a maternity hospital in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, the newborn baby wears a miniature Red Army hat and a cape.
In the telegram channel, the hospital explained that combat uniforms for babies are “as a reminder of the intergenerational link, the courage of the defenders of the motherland, and that even the smallest Russian citizens are part of a major history.”
In Moscow, the Russian word for “victory” – “poveda” is everywhere. It is stuck on the side of road exchange on a giant signboard, a poster in the shop window. The special “Victory Train” in the underground Moscow metropolitan area is decorated with the image of World War II and the words “Be proud!” And then “Remember it!”
Tank rolls around Tavelkaya, Moscow’s main street, during a rehearsal for the Big 9 Mae Parade in Red Square. During the Soviet era, military parades on Victory Day were rare since 1945. Under Vladimir Putin, they have now become an important element of Russia’s most sacred national holiday – not only to remember the victims of World War II, but to show off their military power and unite people as an invincible nation, centering on Russian ideas.
The Soviet Union actually won a great patriotic war. But 80 years later, and despite confident declarations by Russian officials, the victory escapes Moscow, Ukraine. The Kremlin’s “special military operations” were expected to last only for a few days. It is still unclear how and how the battle will end after more than three years of war and the enormous casualties on both sides.
Fyodor Melnikov lost his brother in the war
According to the Kremlin, 29 world leaders, including China’s Xi Jin average, will be taking part in the Victory Day parade. According to Moscow, Serbian President Alexander Vicz and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fiko will visit Russia for commemoration. Ensuring the security of military parades and Red Square guests has already been a top priority for the Kremlin. Furthermore, after two consecutive nights of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow.
Back in Dubna, German resistance collapses and the Red Army is in full control. The re-establishment is over.
Some of the audience here believe that they officially portray Russia as a besieged fortress threatened to the West.
“Both Britain and America are betraying us and threatening us,” Ridhiya told me. “But we are resilient. We cannot defeat Russia.”
When I talk to Fyodor Melnikov, 98, he doesn’t get caught up in politics. The military show caused painful memories for him. Fyodor’s brother was killed in the Great The Great Patriotic War.
“War is horrible,” says Fiyodor. “People should be allowed to live freely. Let them work, let them live their lives, and let them die naturally.”
Fyodor wrote a poem about his late brother, the war. He’s reciting it for me. In the translation it sounds like this:
“A uniform I’ve never worn before,
A battle I’ve never seen before.
But in my heart, I can see
My brothers go to war.
The only thing he told me
This was this before he went:
“Live, brother, fine.”
I’ll take the victory home. ”
On Friday, along with the whole of Russia, Fiodor Melnikov celebrates the 80th anniversary of his great victory in 1945.
But it will be a day to remember: friends and family who have not returned.
The day when the costs of war are recognized.
