Victory Day in Moscow – Dressed in the past, a signpost for the future

Written by: Željko Šajn, Special Correspondent for Kosovo Online from Moscow

On May 9, 2025, Moscow once again became the epicenter of remembrance, pride, and determination. Under special security arrangements, the city — which became a symbol of resistance against Nazism and triumph over it eight decades ago — preserved its historical legacy through the commemoration of Victory Day. On Red Square, the very place where the victory was once proclaimed, Russia paid tribute to generations who gave everything for freedom, while simultaneously sending a clear political message to the world about its geopolitical stance and its determination to safeguard values rooted in the greatest struggle of the 20th century. This year’s Victory Day parade was more than a ceremonial event — it was a powerful symbol of collective memory, political messaging, and Russia’s unequivocal stance on the challenges of today’s world.

Moscow awoke to a sunny spring morning, marked by its characteristic climate, prompting many to dress warmly. Every store, shop window, and billboard was adorned with Victory Day symbols, while illuminated advertisements honored the triumph over Nazism. In many places, the red flag of the Soviet Union — a symbol of the 1945 victory — flew alongside the modern tricolor of the Russian Federation, a clear sign of continuity between the people who won freedom and the Russia of today, which, 80 years later, not only preserves that memory but also reaffirms the values of anti-fascism and national unity.
Under tight security, Moscow pulsed with the spirit of Victory Day.

Telecommunications were cut, traffic was restricted to special vehicles, and the state’s entire resources were directed toward making citizens feel both safe and proud. Soldiers prepared to march onto the square, side by side with cadets and veterans.

Bathed in the chilly Russian sun and adorned with flags, Red Square welcomed thousands of citizens and guests from 27 countries, including heads of state — notably Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico — who, despite international pressures, traveled to Moscow to demonstrate friendship and respect for Russia on one of its most significant days. Also present were filmmaker Emir Kusturica and actor Steven Seagal. On the same grounds where the liberators of Europe once marched, now stood members of various branches of the Russian military, including participants in the special military operation.

The parade began precisely at 10:00 a.m. Everything was meticulously arranged — lines of soldiers, uniforms in traditional and honorable colors, white gloves symbolizing discipline. Tears were visible in many eyes. Grief and joy, remembrance and hope — all were present at once.
At the opening of the ceremony, Russian President and Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin delivered a powerful message:

“Today, we are all united by feelings of joy and sorrow, pride and gratitude, respect for the generation that defeated the Nazis and, at the cost of millions of lives, won freedom and peace for all mankind. We faithfully preserve the memory of those historic triumphs and, as the heirs of the victors, we mark Victory Day, May 9, as our own — as the most important holiday for our state, our people, our families, and each of us individually.”

After the military parade, one of the most striking moments followed — an impressive aerial show that concluded the ceremony and left a strong emotional impression on those present. The Kremlin released exclusive footage of the flyover above Red Square showing Russian jets writing the colors of the Russian flag across the sky in perfect formation. This was a powerful symbol of unity and pride, as well as a visual display of the technical superiority of the Russian air force. In flawless synchronization, pilots from the “Russian Knights” and “Strizhi” aerobatic teams flew in a nine-aircraft formation using Su-30 and MiG-29 jets, painting the sky red, blue, and white. The colorful trails split the sky, reminding many of historic victory parades and inspiring reflection on today’s continued battles against evil — albeit in new forms.

Following the parade, Putin took a casual walk through Red Square, warmly greeting participants and guests — from cadets to veterans, including some World War II participants. Among the crowd was a special guest — Lyudmila Krasavina, a participant in the first Victory Parade in 1945, which she attended as a child. Now in her advanced years and an editor at the MIR agency, she recalled unforgettable moments.

“Although it was summer, I remember the day was cold and rainy. My parents dressed me in what was considered our finest at the time. I went with my father, a worker in the T-34 tank factory. I was so excited — I was going to the parade with my dad! People were singing, approaching Red Square, everything was filled with joy. I saw Marshal Zhukov in person for the first time, on a white horse, delivering his report to Stalin. That moment is etched in my memory forever,” she told Politika.
Absent, however, was the spirit of our veteran Bogoljub Rakić, a participant in the liberation of Belgrade, the Srem Front, and the liberation of Zagreb — where he was wounded. Now at 101 years old, his wish to greet President Putin and his contemporary, the last living Soviet Hero Boris Vasilyevich Kravtsov, was unfulfilled.

“The first parade on June 24 featured 40,000 soldiers and 1,800 units of equipment. Today, we saw around 11,500 soldiers and another 1,500 from the special military operation. No difference — then and now, we fight Nazism. Only now it’s NATO, trying to break Russia through Ukraine. But we have Putin — a wise, experienced statesman. He, like Stalin, leads the fight for world peace,” Krasavina concluded for Politika.

This view echoed among many analysts and historians, including Academician Guskov, historian Boris Yulkin, and military analyst Viktor Liktovsky.
For the Russian people, Victory Day is not just a holiday but a vow — a sacred duty that transcends time. As Lyudmila Krasavina, who attended every parade from 1945 to yesterday, reminds us:

“This is a day we must live, not just commemorate,” because peace is not a gift — it is a hard-won right that must be protected and nurtured.

“The Nazis’ plans to conquer the Soviet Union were shattered by the country’s iron unity. The heroism of the people was universal. All republics bore the heavy burden of war together,” Putin reminded us during yesterday’s parade, adding that Russia deeply values the contribution of Allied soldiers to the joint struggle, including resistance fighters, the brave Chinese people, and all who fought for a peaceful future.

Today, as Russia claims to face new forms of Nazism, this day takes on additional symbolism — as a reminder that history must not be forgotten, that freedom is not guaranteed, and that each generation must be ready to protect it — for themselves and for a rapidly changing world. Putin stated that the Russian people will continue to look up to the veterans, to their sincere love of the homeland and unwavering commitment to defending the values of humanism and justice.
In this historical and political context, the presence of Serbia and its president on Red Square carried not just a diplomatic message — it was an act of historical remembrance, national dignity, and shared values that bind the two nations. While Belgrade navigates the pressures of modern geopolitics, symbolically standing in Moscow on Victory Day is a reminder that there are moments when decisions must be made not for gain or political maneuvering, but out of a sense of duty, historical memory, and moral conviction.

Also present were the Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik. From the European Union, despite opposition from the EU Commissioner, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attended.
Victory Day concluded late last night with several concerts dedicated to the occasion, and a long-lasting fireworks display across Moscow and many cities throughout the Russian Federation.