May 04, 2025

Victory Day: Not Just for Russia Anymore


Victory Day: Not Just for Russia Anymore
Finally, something we can agree on. The Russian Life file.

On May 2, BBC reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed the renaming of two holidays. Veterans Day, November 11, would become "Victory in World War I Day," and Victory in Europe (VE) Day, May 8, would become "Victory in World War II Day."

The only caveat: Russia already has Victory Day, and it's coming up May 9. The day difference is caused by the surrender of the German government at 11:01 p.m. Berlin time, 12:01 a.m. Moscow time.

Russia's Victory Day is the country's largest patriotic holiday. It celebrates the Soviet victory in the Second World War and usually involves a massive Red Square military parade complete with music, a fighter-jet flyover, visits from foreign dignitaries, and a keynote by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But lest Trump's proposal should seem too Russia-friendly, his reasoning, that "We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance," flies flat in the face of Russian remembrance of World War II, which focuses on the sacrifice of soldiers and civilians in the face of invasion. A typical Russian response to Trump's assertion would likely be that estimates say Russia lost as many as 20 million people in the war, while the U.S. lost less than 500,000.

Last year's Victory Day parade was disappointingly muted — partly because of an unseasonable snow, and partly from a meager assembly of military machines likely impacted by Russia's ongoing War on Ukraine.

This year's parade, though, promises to be especially impressive. It's the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war, and we expect Putin to pull out all the stops. We'll be sure to cover the parade next week.

You Might Also Like

A Memory Battle for Lubyanka Square
  • March 14, 2021

A Memory Battle for Lubyanka Square

The hoopla surrounding a new monument at a controversial location in central Moscow highlights the importance of history for Russia – and ourselves.
Searching for Nazis
  • June 05, 2022

Searching for Nazis

Putin says he invaded Ukraine to root out Nazis. Zelensky compares the defense of Ukraine to the heroism of the 1940s. Can both be right? No. No, they can't.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
Russian Rules

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.
The Latchkey Murders

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Chekhov Bilingual

Chekhov Bilingual

Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
A Taste of Chekhov

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955