The Victors parade in Moscow

By Alina Perera Robbio, translated from the Spanish

MOSCOW, Russian Federation—As has been the tradition since the first parade took place on June 24, 1945, mid-morning, around ten o'clock, marked the beginning of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Kremlin's Red Square.

Long before then, friends from various latitudes had begun arriving at the ceremony, coming together to stand with the Russian Federation in these hours of joy and determination. The dignitaries numbered around thirty; and on behalf of Cuba, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, arrived at the venue around nine in the morning.

A smiling President Vladimir Putin could be seen. And it's only fitting that this was the case, as this May 9th was a day of victory; because it was the Soviets who at a very high cost --, although many try to deny it and tell other lies -- who halted the murderous machine of Nazis, which seemed unstoppable.

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

Standing next to the President of the Russian Federation was his counterpart, Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China. The image was more than eloquent: friends must stand together in this world marked by uncertainty; and especially those who lead strong nations must shoulder the responsibility of counterbalancing and changing the current unjust order imposed on the world by an increasingly aggressive empire.

17,500 military personnel marched in the celebration ceremony, which has been held annually since 1995. Vladimir Putin's remarks were an essential opening, as he began his speech by greeting everyone: the citizens of Russia, the "dear veterans," the guests, fellow soldiers and sailors, sergeants and warrant officers, midshipmen and warrant officers, and "comrade officers, generals, and admirals."

The President congratulated everyone on the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. He then stated: “Today, we are all united by feelings of joy and sadness, pride and gratitude, and admiration for the generation that crushed Nazism and, at the cost of millions of lives, achieved freedom and peace for all humanity.”

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

The president emphasized that they faithfully preserve the memory of historic and triumphant events: "As heirs of the victors," he emphasized, "we celebrate May 9th as our own, as the most important holiday for the country, for the entire nation, for every family, for each one of us."

“Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents saved the homeland. And they bequeathed to us the task of defending our homeland, of being united, of firmly defending our national interests, our ancient history, our culture, our traditional values; everything we hold dear, everything we hold sacred.”

Vladimir Putin emphasized: "We remember the lessons of World War II and will never agree with the distortion of its events, with attempts to justify the executioners and slander the true victors."

“Our duty is to defend the honor of the soldiers and commanders of the Red Army, the great feat of representatives of different nationalities, who will forever remain in world history as Russian soldiers.”

In a clear message to the world, the President asserted that Russia has been and will be an indestructible barrier against Nazism, Russophobia, and anti-Semitism, and that he will fight the atrocities committed by the proponents of these aggressive and destructive ideas.

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

The sacrifice of a great nation

The President of the Russian Federation reminded all those present that the Soviet Union had borne the brunt of the enemy's most brutal and merciless attacks. He emphasized that "millions of people who knew only peaceful labor took up arms and resisted to the death on all heights, bridgeheads, and borders, determining the outcome of the entire Second World War with unconditional victories in the largest battles near Moscow and Stalingrad, in the Kursk salient, and on the Dnieper."

Putin praised the courage of the defenders of Belarus, who were the first to confront the enemy; the steadfastness of those who defended the Brest Fortress and Mogilev, Odessa and Sevastopol, Murmansk, Tula, and Smolensk; the heroism of the inhabitants of besieged Leningrad; the bravery of all those who fought at the front, in partisan detachments, and underground; the valor of those who evacuated the country's factories under enemy fire, and those who worked in the rear without sparing their efforts and to the limit of their strength.

He also praised the fact that the Nazi plans to take over the Soviet Union were shattered by the country's truly ironclad unity. He said the heroism of the people was massive, and that all the republics bore the heavy common burden of the war.

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

“The contribution of the people of Central Asia and Transcaucasia was enormous,” Putin said. He added: “From here, trains carrying everything the front needed continued to move without interruption. Hospitals were located here, and hundreds of thousands of evacuees found their second home. They shared shelter, bread, and warmth with them.”

“We honor every veteran of the Great Patriotic War, we bow our heads to the memory of all those who gave their lives for Victory.” The President of the Russian Federation spoke in memory of “sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, great-grandparents, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends.” He emphasized: “We bow our heads to our comrades in arms,” those who died a heroic death in a just battle for Russia.

A minute of silence was declared. And that was the moment to pay special tribute as the seconds of the Kremlin chime, the country's most important clock, sounded. That legendary symbol of the country, about which there is a legend that it has never stopped.

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

More expressions of tribute

“Dear friends, almost 80 percent of the world's population was drawn into the fiery orbit of World War II,” the president said in his address. He emphasized: “The complete defeat of Nazi Germany, militaristic Japan, and their satellites in different regions of the world was achieved through the joint efforts of the countries of the United Nations.”

“We will always remember that the opening of a second front in Europe, after the decisive battles on the territory of the Soviet Union, brought victory closer. We highly value the contribution to our common struggle of the soldiers of the Allied armies, the participants in the Resistance, and the brave people of China. All those who fought for a peaceful future.”

“Dear friends!”

“We will continue to admire veterans, their sincere love for their country, their determination to defend their home, and the values ​​of humanism and justice. Let us make these traditions, this great heritage, the most important thing in our hearts, and pass it on to future generations.”

"We will always rely on our unity in military and peaceful affairs, in achieving strategic goals, in solving problems in the name of Russia, its greatness, and prosperity."

Photo: Alejandro Azcuy Domínguez

The symbols and gestures of a celebration

An orange ribbon with three black stripes was worn on the lapels of many participants in the parade ceremony. It was an allegory of the Order of St. George—a Russian honorary distinction, one of the oldest, recognizing military merits. Its symbolism was revived after the collapse of the USSR. In the context of this Friday's celebration, it connoted the spirit of a victory that all good men and women embrace as their own.

Putin wore one of those orange ribbons in his lapel. At the end of his speech, a colorful martial parade began. The first forces were the Special Military Operation fighters, including 24 Heroes of Russia. Then it was the turn of the military academies; followed by the various groups of the ground, naval, and air forces. Armored combat equipment was in charge of the closing ceremony. The heads of state present then accompanied Putin to the Alexander Garden to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

It is known that an anonymous combatant is buried there, and that is why it is the symbol of all those who offered their lives without leaving names, without leaving faces, stoically, in defense of humanity.

This Friday saw an unforgettable parade. And beyond the colors and the martial spirit, the world received the message that a giant nation, the Soviets, was capable of halting the Nazi death machine. The parade evoked the gratitude and necessary historical memory, without which it would be impossible to know which side the greatest heroes are on.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC