A day of defeat, not victory? Just because there is an absence of tanks at the frontline and the parade doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a day of defeat. Propaganda will explain the situation’s complexity to the Russians.
The recent parade on Red Square was crucial for Vladimir Putin, even more so than previous ones. Despite the importance of past parades, it cannot be denied that Russia’s actions towards Ukraine in the past year have made this one particularly significant.
Putin’s historical policy and Russian neo-imperial ideology heavily relied on parades. Over the past decade, the mythology of World War II gradually united with Russian revanchism and aggressive imperialism. Also, with the nostalgia for the USSR and nationalism of the “Russian Mir.” Representative units from Poland, Ukraine, and Great Britain participated in the May 9 marches on Red Square in 2011 and previous years. However, after the first aggression against Ukraine in 2014, such participation became impossible, leading to Russia’s isolation.
The Russian government’s historical policy omits the contribution of the Western Allies in World War II. Moreover, it portrays Poland and Ukraine as collaborators and instigators of the conflict. In 2015, Putin’s ambition for Russia’s Great Power was displayed during the Grand Parade. Additionally, the Immortal Regiment, led by Putin, marched through the streets of Moscow and other cities that year. The marching crowd included families who had lost loved ones during World War II.
Moscow leadership emphasized that this past World War, known as Russia’s Great Patriotic War, was a collective effort, which was not far from the truth. The Kremlin was nurturing a sense of war unity among Russians. The propaganda machine also spread a different message, describing the war as ongoing. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the term “Great Patriotic War” fails to acknowledge the military aggression against Poland in 1939.
Forever at war
Putin frequently highlights that the USSR played a crucial role in saving the world during World War II. There is now an entire industry in Russia built around war mythology, including the mass production of items like St. George’s Ribbons, flags, and Red Army uniforms in all sizes, even for children. There are also films, television programs, and car stickers with the slogan “To Berlin!”. All the above influenced the Russians’ mindset and contributed to the aggression against Ukraine.
This machine is no longer easy to stop due to its increasing volume. This year’s parade in Moscow was much quieter and celebrated on a smaller scale. Many cities have canceled their festivities because of the fear of Ukrainian sabotage. The Immortal Regiment was also not marching. Recent attacks, such as the drone attack on the Senate Palace dome and explosions at fuel depots in Southern Russia, have underlined this threat. Some speculate that the Russian services carried out the attack on the Kremlin to create awareness of this threat. However, despite these events, last May 9 is not considered a day of defeat for the Kremlin.
The limited Victory Day celebrations are an important part of the propaganda narrative. They are meant to mentally prepare the Russians for a long and challenging war, where they must show the same level of effort and dedication as their ancestors did during their 1945 victory. These celebrations also mark the beginning of Putin’s election campaign ahead of next year’s presidential election.
On May 9, Putin delivered a speech on Red Square similar to his previous ones. He stressed the importance of the community’s role in the fight against fascism, even though the idea of fascism in Ukraine is a product of Kremlin propaganda. The Russians have become accustomed to certain beliefs that may seem outrageous to others. For instance, they still believe that the USSR was solely responsible for winning the Second World War and that they could win another one if needed.
Building a bridge construction in time between 1943 and 2023 is the tremendous success of Putin’s historical propaganda. In a recent, less flashy parade, Putin aimed to convince the Russian people to prepare themselves for hard times ahead. He said almost directly: your grandparents did it, then you must do it too.
Difficult questions
He was determined to hold the parade and, at the same time, warn the Russians about possible Ukrainian attacks. There was no modern military equipment in Red Square, like every year. But there’s nothing to worry about. The Russians should get the message that the equipment is being used on the front lines. Only a few people will notice that there are problems with the equipment. The old T-62 and T-55 tanks from fifty years ago are being taken out of warehouses. Putin must have his pocket version of the November 1941 parade, when tanks parading in front of Stalin straight from Red Square were going to the frontline.
This year, propaganda can say that the tanks are already at the frontline, so they didn’t make it to the parade in Moscow. The Kremlin dictator frequently asserts that Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine is not only against “fascism” but also against the entire Western world, which is hostile towards them. It is supposed to be the main argument justifying why the war lasts so long.
Putin is currently facing a struggle for the longevity of his power. His battle to remain in charge begins. He also knows this conflict will not be resolved quickly and will not result in spectacular success. Before May 9, despite ongoing efforts, the Russian army has yet to capture Bakhmut, and key objectives of the invasion remain unfulfilled. Additionally, reports from the front line suggest a lack of unity and cohesion among armed formations.
The forthcoming criticism of the command headquarters came from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary company’s owner, and other radicals’ voices. Even if various Kremlin inner circles control these opinions, they prove that the situation in the center of power could be better. It’s essential to recognize that the Russian people feel a general sense of sadness and depression towards the war. Given the circumstances, Putin still must begin preparations for next year’s elections. While there will be no real competition since Putin lacks any rivals, the aim will be to achieve a high turnout, surpassing 67 percent of the 2018 elections. Also, to create an impression that the nation stands with their leader.
In order to achieve his objectives, Putin needs to clarify to the Russian people why Ukraine has not surrendered even after 440 days of war. Moreover, why have their living conditions worsened? And it’s unrealistic for them to anticipate a return to how things were before February 2022. Furthermore, he must explain to the Russians why the Ukrainian army remains militarized and can launch effective attacks on Russia, causing the Kremlin to curtail May 9 celebrations for security reasons. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky is receiving global recognition while an arrest warrant has been issued for Putin, making him hesitant to travel outside his country.
To summarize, he needs to prepare them for the new reality while maintaining his position as the unquestioned leader. However, the Kremlin’s political strategists and social engineers must familiarize themselves with this unusual situation. Lacking intellectual solutions, they resort to relying on past patterns. As a result, they believe Victory Day is still necessary. Its purpose is to provide false hope and inspire faith in victory despite the lack of genuine progress.
Michał Kacewicz/belsat.eu
Translated by PEV.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in the text reflect only the author's views.
