Regardless of the pandemic, Russians will celebrate #V-Day

Every year it’s the same, no matter how many decades have passed since the sacred date of 9 May, 1945. No nation in modern Europe, to say nothing about the USA, show so much emotions when it comes to commemorating the historic event of defeating Nazi Germany,

The so called Europe Day, which is celebrated on 9 May, and normally features formal wreath laying to the WW II monuments and graves, differs substantially from all nation mourning and 'Immortal Regiment' rallies around the world, when hundreds of thousands of former Soviet Union citizens pay tribute to their ancestors who died during the last War. The price of that victory was very high, the highest one in the history of humanity.

The Soviet Union lost 27 million soldiers and civilians in a horrible war for its independence. The Red Army not only liberated the country’s territory but also played the crucial and decisive role in exterminating the Nazi regime in Europe.

It seems that the current state of emergency related to coronavirus general lockdown will change very little in a real popular endeavor. President Putin had no choice but to postpone (not cancel) the official Victory Day celebrations in the country, including a traditional military parade at the Moscow’s most remarkable venue - the Red Square.

The mentioned event had to take place in presence of many world leaders as well as former Soviet Republics heads of states. Instead, in Moscow and 47 other regional centers people will see Air Force parade that will include display of modern military aircrafts and helicopters. The same day after sunset people across Russia will watch fireworks. President Putin will lay flowers to the Unknown Soldier tomb in Moscow together with few high ranking Russian officials. Similar events will take place in major Russian cities. This year the very impressive Immortal Regiment procession will be organized online due strict quarantine measures in Russia.

Of course, the terrible COVID-19 pandemic in the world left no choice but to stay home. At the same time on this sacred day of 9 May, Russian citizens feel special unity of minds, souls and hearts, recollecting their grandfathers and grandmothers, relatives who payed the highest price and sacrificed their lives to let their children live in a world free of Nazism.