Victory Day in the USSR and Russia: A Shifting Tradition
Since 1945, the way Victory Day is observed on May 9 in the USSR and later in Russia has undergone major transformations, shaped by Soviet leaders and Russian presidents. The first military parade took place on June 24, 1945, led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov and commanded by Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky. Yet by 1948, May 9 was no longer a day off, following a decree signed on December 23, 1947, that moved the holiday to January 1. From 1948 to 1965, no military parades were held at all.
For context, Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, a pivotal event that still resonates deeply in Russian national identity and political messaging today.
Revival and Evolution of the Holiday
The celebration was revived under Leonid Brezhnev in 1965, when May 9 was reinstated as a public holiday. During Nikita Khrushchev’s tenure, the number of salute volleys was cut from 30 to 20, and in 1956 and 1958, the front page of the newspaper 'Pravda' omitted any Victory Day greetings. A key cultural milestone came in 1975 with the creation of the song 'Den Pobedy' (Victory Day).
Under Yuri Andropov, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on May 9, 1983. Under Mikhail Gorbachev, the third major Soviet military parade was held in 1985. The final Soviet-era parade occurred in 1990 for the 45th anniversary. Starting in 1995, annual military parades resumed, with that year’s event featuring military hardware at Poklonnaya Hill and attended by 56 world leaders.
Recent years have brought further changes. In 2022, the aerial segment of the parade was canceled. In 2023, only one piece of equipment—a museum-piece T-34 tank—took part. However, in 2025, Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended the parade. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan plans to pay 57 World War II veterans 5 million tenge each by May 9, 2025, while Russian President Vladimir Putin offers veterans a modest 10,000 rubles.
Victory Day has become a powerful symbol for Soviet authorities, as noted by Volodymyr Viatrovych: 'The more time passes since the war ended, the more resources are poured into the celebration, and the more significant this holiday becomes for Soviet power.'
Thus, the evolution of Victory Day celebrations reflects shifting public memory and political strategies over time, honoring heroism and remembrance of the fallen.
These changes highlight not only shifts in political context but also in collective memory and national identity. The holiday has become both a symbol of wartime triumph and a tool for shaping historical narratives that influence contemporary political and social dynamics. In the years ahead, Victory Day is likely to continue evolving in response to new societal challenges and changes.
As the significance of Victory Day continues to evolve, personal stories also emerge, highlighting the emotional connections tied to this pivotal date. For instance, Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov recently shared a vintage photo with his veteran father, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and national pride in contemporary celebrations. This blend of history and personal narrative underscores how the past continues to shape present-day observances.