This year’s Victory Day in occupied territories like Bakhmut, marked by modest festivities, underscores the stark contrast between the celebrations in Russia and the grim reality in war-torn Ukraine.
Victory Day Observances in Russian-Occupied Ukraine: A Stark Contrast to Celebration
Victory Day Observances in Russian-Occupied Ukraine: A Stark Contrast to Celebration
As the 80th Victory Day commemorations unfolded in regions seized by Russia, the atmosphere remained subdued and reflective, highlighting the war's ongoing toll.
In Bakhmut, a city once bustling with life, Russian soldiers exuded enthusiasm for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Videos circulated on social media showcased soldiers decorating the barren streets with celebratory banners festooned with messages such as “Happy Victory Day” and images of Soviet veterans. Yet, the ghost town, stripped of its former population of approximately 70,000, now bears the scars of war, rendering any semblance of celebration merely symbolic.
In contrast to the grand demonstrations of military might expected in Moscow, where President Vladimir V. Putin sits at the helm, the festivities in Bakhmut and similar Russian-held areas in eastern Ukraine stand far less ambitious. Reports indicated that modest events, like small concerts amid the rubble, were on the agenda. Local authorities, such as Denis Pushilin, the appointed leader of Donetsk’s Russian-controlled parts, envisioned a plethora of events—totalling more than 57,000 memorials and celebrations spread out over months.
Amid the fading echoes of past victories, the remaining citizens in the occupied regions experience a holiday tinged with both nostalgia and grief. As tanks roll in Russia to commemorate victory, the relevance of that victory is called into question by those who remain in the shadow of ongoing conflict, underscoring a complex narrative of liberation and occupation.
In contrast to the grand demonstrations of military might expected in Moscow, where President Vladimir V. Putin sits at the helm, the festivities in Bakhmut and similar Russian-held areas in eastern Ukraine stand far less ambitious. Reports indicated that modest events, like small concerts amid the rubble, were on the agenda. Local authorities, such as Denis Pushilin, the appointed leader of Donetsk’s Russian-controlled parts, envisioned a plethora of events—totalling more than 57,000 memorials and celebrations spread out over months.
Amid the fading echoes of past victories, the remaining citizens in the occupied regions experience a holiday tinged with both nostalgia and grief. As tanks roll in Russia to commemorate victory, the relevance of that victory is called into question by those who remain in the shadow of ongoing conflict, underscoring a complex narrative of liberation and occupation.
