Russia commemorates the end of World War II with unparalleled enthusiasm, with Victory Day on May 9 being the nation's most significant secular holiday. For Russia, the defeat of Nazi Germany 80 years ago remains a major source of pride and a pivotal historical moment. While the day honors the immense wartime sacrifice, it also serves as a tool for the Kremlin to stir patriotism and reclaim the prestige lost after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. President Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for 25 of those 80 years, has transformed Victory Day into a cornerstone of his leadership, using it to justify his ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He has also emphasized the failure of Western efforts to isolate Russia by inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders to the celebrations, which this year were overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and significant disruptions at the city's airports, alongside cellphone internet outages.

Victory Day’s significance is deeply rooted in the Soviet Union’s losses during World War II. The Soviet Union endured the loss of 27 million people in what is known as the Great Patriotic War (1941-45). Nazi Germany’s invasion on June 22, 1941, led to rapid advances, coming within 30 kilometers of Moscow by October. However, the Soviet forces counterattacked and pushed the Nazis back, eventually defeating them in key battles like Stalingrad and Kursk, and driving them all the way to Berlin. Putin has emphasized that the Soviet Union made the primary contribution to the defeat of Nazism, noting that the losses were staggering, with one in seven Soviet citizens killed, compared to one in 127 for the UK and one in 320 for the United States. Putin is personally connected to the war, often recalling his family’s experiences. He has shared stories of his parents’ survival, including his father’s voluntary defense of Leningrad and his mother’s miraculous survival during the Nazi siege. Putin has also recounted how his father, despite being severely wounded, managed to save his mother after a near-fatal injury.

The Soviet victory in World War II serves not only as a symbol of military strength but also as a tool for uniting the country behind Putin's agenda. The war remains a rare point of national unity across Russia's political spectrum. Victory Day parades showcase Russia’s military power, including displays of nuclear-capable missiles and warplanes, along with fireworks and various festivities across the country. Additionally, the "Immortal Regiment" march, where people carry photographs of their World War II veteran relatives, is a major part of the celebrations, and Putin has participated in these marches with a picture of his father.

Putin has also used World War II's legacy to justify the invasion of Ukraine, calling it necessary for the "demilitarization" and "denazification" of Ukraine. He falsely accused Ukrainian leadership of harboring neo-Nazi sympathies, despite President Zelenskyy being Jewish. Putin has also referred to Ukrainian nationalist figures who collaborated with the Nazis as evidence of Ukraine’s alleged Nazi inclinations, thus tying the current conflict to the historical victory over Nazi Germany. Political analysts argue that the Kremlin has intertwined these issues to craft a narrative of victory over both Nazism and alleged Ukrainian neo-Nazism.