Putin revels in Victory Day celebrations

RUSSIA wrapped itself in patriotic pageantry yesterday for Victory Day, a celebration of its defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War that President Vladimir Putin has turned into a pillar of his nearly quarter of a century in power and a justification for his invasion of Ukraine.

Even though few veterans of what Russia calls the Great Patriotic War are still alive 79 years after Berlin fell to the Red Army, the victory over Nazi Germany remains the most important and widely revered symbol of the country’s prowess and a key element of national identity.

Yesterday’s festivities across Russia, led by Putin who this week began his fifth term in office, recall that wartime sacrifice in what is its most important secular holiday.

“The Victory Day unites all generations,” Putin said in a speech at the Red Square parade. “We are going forward relying on our centuries- old traditions and feel confident together we will ensure a free and secure future of Russia.”

As battalions marched by and military hardware rumbled over the cobblestones, the sky cleared briefly to allow a flyby of warplanes.

Putin hailed the troops fighting in Ukraine as “our heroes”.

He accused the West of “fuelling regional conflicts, inter- ethnic and inter- religious strife and trying to contain sovereign and independent centres of global development”.

Amid rising tensions with the US,

Putin issued another stark reminder of Moscow’s nuclear might.

“Russia will do everything to prevent global confrontation, but will not allow anyone to threaten us,” he said. “Our strategic forces are in combat readiness.”

Nuclear- capable Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles were pulled across Red Square, underscoring his message.