Ukrainian forces used humor to mock Russia’s performance on one of the largest national holidays.
On May 9th, Russia celebrated « Victory Day, » marking an anniversary for Russia over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Soviet Union, then including not only Russia but also Ukraine, Belarus and others, lost 27 million people in what Russians call the « Great Patriotic War, » more than any other country.
Russia celebrated one of its most important public holidays with speeches and celebrations across the nation, with Putin referring to any other global criticisms of Russia’s war in Ukraine as « waging war on Russia. » For Putin, it is an opportunity to project an image of Russia as a powerful nation of winners to his citizens, conveying the belief that he is standing on the right side of history in defeating fascism.
