View source for Victory Day (9 May)

{{short description|Public holidays in the former Eastern Bloc}}
{{For|the song|Victory Day (song)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{expand Russian|date=May 2022|День Победы}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Victory Day
|type          = national
|longtype      =
|image         = Victory Day Parade 2005-36.jpg
|caption       = Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, 9 May 2005
|official_name = {{langx|ru|День Победы}} etc.<ref group="a" name="NameUkrRusetcVD"/>
|nickname      =
|observedby    = [[Russia]] and some former states of [[Soviet Union]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Montenegro]], [[Serbia]], [[Croatia]], [[Israel]], and [[Mongolia]]
|duration      = 1 day
|frequency     = Annual
|date          = 9 May
|scheduling    = same day each year
|celebrations  =
|observances   =
|relatedto     = [[Victory in Europe Day]]
}}
{{Campaignbox Axis-Soviet War}}

'''Victory Day'''<ref group="a" name="NameUkrRusetcVD">
{{langx|ru|День Победы|Den' Pobedy}}<br />
{{langx|be|Дзень Перамогі|Dzěň Pěramohi}}<br />
{{langx|uz|Ғалаба куни|Gʻalaba kuni/Ğalaba kuni}}<br />
{{langx|kk|Жеңіс Күні|Jeñis Küni}}<br />
{{Langx|ka|გამარჯვების დღე|Gamarjvebis dğe}}<br />
{{langx|az|Qələbə Günü}}<br />
{{langx|ro|Ziua Victoriei}} ({{Moldovan Cyrillic|Зиуа Викторией}})<br />
{{langx|ky|Жеңиш майрамы|Ceñiş mayramı}}<br />
{{langx|tg|Рӯзи Ғалаба|Rúzi Calaba}}<br />
{{langx|hy|Հաղթանակի օրը|Haqtanaki orë}}<br />
{{langx|tk|Ýeňişlar Harçlaarsiň}}<br />
</ref> is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the [[Soviet Union]] over [[Nazi Germany]] in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15 [[republics of the Soviet Union]]{{efn|name=Karelo-FinnishDay|1= There were 16 republics in the Soviet Union in 1945. The [[Karelo-Finnish SSR]] was abolished in 1956.}} following the signing of the [[German Instrument of Surrender]] late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (9 May [[Moscow Time]]). The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the [[German Instrument of Surrender#Definitive surrender document in Berlin|signing ceremony in Berlin]].<ref>[[Earl F. Ziemke]], 1990, Washington DC, CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/other/us-army_germany_1944-46_ch15.htm#b3 CHAPTER XV:The Victory Sealed] Page 258 last 2 paragraphs</ref> Although the official inauguration occurred in 1945, the holiday became a non-labor day only in 1965.

In [[East Germany]], 8 May was observed as '''Liberation Day''' from 1950 to 1966, and was celebrated again on the 40th anniversary in 1985. In 1967, a Soviet-style "Victory Day" was celebrated on 8 May. Since 2002, the German state of [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] has observed a commemoration day known as the '''Day of Liberation from [[National Socialism]], and the End of the [[World War II]]'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mv.juris.de/mv/FTG_MV_P2.htm |title=Gesetz über Sonn- und Feiertage des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern |publisher=Mv.juris.de |access-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620161048/http://mv.juris.de/mv/FTG_MV_P2.htm |archive-date=20 June 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Russian Federation]] has officially recognized 9 May since its formation in 1991 and considers it a non-working holiday even if it falls on a weekend (in which case any following Monday will be a non-working holiday). The holiday was similarly celebrated while the country was part of the Soviet Union. Most other countries in Europe observe [[Victory in Europe Day]] (often abbreviated to VE Day, or V-E Day) on 8 May, and [[Europe Day]]{{efn|name=euDay|1= In 1950 on Victory Day (9 May), French foreign minister [[Robert Schuman]] made the [[Schuman Declaration]] proposing creation of the [[European Coal and Steel Community]] as a way to prevent further war between [[France]] and [[Germany]]. He declared he aimed to "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible".<ref>{{cite web |title=EUROPA - The Schuman Declaration – 9 May 1950 |url=http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/europe-day/schuman-declaration/index_en.htm |work=europa.eu}}</ref>  It is now celebrated as [[Europe Day]] on 5 May by the [[Council of Europe]].}} on 9 May as national remembrance or victory days.

==History==
{{Main|German Instrument of Surrender}}
[[File:Zhukov reads capitulation act.jpg|thumb|[[Georgy Zhukov|Marshal Zhukov]] reading the German capitulation. Seated on his right is [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder|Arthur Tedder]].]]
[[File:Wilhelm Keitel Kapitulation.jpg|thumb|[[Wilhelm Keitel|Field-Marshal Keitel]] signing the ratified surrender terms for the German military]]
[[File:Soviet Znamya Pobedy.svg|thumb|"[[Victory Banner]] #5", raised on the roof of the [[Reichstag building]]]]

The [[German Instrument of Surrender]] was signed twice. An initial document was signed in [[Reims]], France on 7 May 1945 by [[Alfred Jodl]] (chief of staff of the German [[OKW]]) for Germany, [[Walter Bedell Smith]] (USA), on behalf of the [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force|Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force]], and [[Ivan Susloparov]], on behalf of the [[Stavka|Soviet High Command]], in the presence of Free French Major-General [[François Sevez]] as the official witness. Since the Soviet High Command had not agreed to the text of the surrender, and because Susloparov, a relatively low-ranking officer, was not authorized to sign this document, the Soviet Union requested that a second, revised, instrument of surrender be signed in Berlin. [[Joseph Stalin]] declared that the Soviet Union considered the Reims surrender a preliminary document, and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] immediately agreed with that. Another argument was that some German troops considered the Reims instrument of surrender as a surrender to the Western Allies only, and fighting continued in the East, [[Prague offensive|especially in Prague]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Zhukov|first=Georgy|title=Memoirs|publisher=Olma-Press|year=2002|page=329|language=ru}}</ref>

{{blockquote|[Quoting Stalin:] Today, in Reims, Germans signed the preliminary act on an unconditional surrender. The main contribution, however, was done by Soviet people and not by the Allies, therefore the capitulation must be signed in front of the Supreme Command of ''all countries'' of the anti-Hitler coalition, and not only in front of the Supreme Command of Allied Forces. Moreover, I disagree that the surrender was not signed in Berlin, which was the center of Nazi aggression. We agreed with the Allies to consider the Reims protocol as preliminary.}}

A second surrender ceremony was organized in the outskirts of [[Berlin]] late on 8 May, when it was already 9 May in [[Moscow]] due to the difference in time zones. Field-Marshal [[Wilhelm Keitel]], chief of OKW, signed a final German Instrument of Surrender, which was also signed by Marshal [[Georgy Zhukov]], on behalf of the Supreme High Command of the [[Red Army]], and Air Chief Marshal [[Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder|Arthur Tedder]] (Britain), on behalf of the Allied Expeditionary Force, in the presence of General [[Carl Spaatz]] (USA) and General [[Jean de Lattre de Tassigny]] (Free French), as witnesses. The surrender was signed in the Soviet Army headquarters in [[Berlin-Karlshorst]]. Both [[English language|English]] and [[Russian language|Russian]] versions of the instrument of surrender signed in Berlin were considered authentic texts.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

The revised Berlin text of the instrument of surrender differed from the preliminary text signed in Reims in explicitly stipulating the [[German disarmament|complete disarmament]] of all [[Wehrmacht|German military forces]], handing over their weapons to local Allied military commanders.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

Both the Reims and Berlin instruments of surrender stipulated that forces under German control to cease active operations at 23:01 hours [[Central European Time|CET]] on 8 May 1945. However, due to the difference in Central European and Moscow time zones, the end of war is celebrated on 9 May in the Soviet Union and most post-Soviet countries.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

To commemorate the victory in the war, the ceremonial [[Moscow Victory Parade of 1945|Moscow Victory Parade]] was held in the Soviet capital on 24 June 1945.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

==Celebrations==
[[File:2016 Immortal Regiment in Saint Petersburg (096).jpg|thumb|People in Saint Petersburg at the [[Immortal Regiment]], carrying portraits of their ancestors who fought in the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Great Patriotic War]] (World War II).]]
[[File:Generál s vlajkou v pozadí - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|A member of the [[Armed Forces of Belarus]] on Victory Day in 2014 under the [[Flag of the Soviet Union|Soviet flag]].]]
[[File:Moscow Victory Day Parade (2019) 70.jpg|thumb|During the [[2019 Moscow Victory Day Parade]].]]

===In Russia===
During the Soviet Union's existence, 9 May was celebrated throughout it and in the [[Eastern Bloc]]. Though the holiday was introduced in many Soviet republics between 1946 and 1950, it became a non-working day only in the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] in 1963 and the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rbth.co.uk/may_9|title=For Russia 70th WWII anniversary looms large|last=Anon|work=Russia behind the headlines|publisher=RBTH network|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> In the Russian SFSR, a weekday off (usually a Monday) was given if 9 May fell on a Saturday or Sunday.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

The celebration of Victory Day continued during subsequent years. The war became a topic of great importance in cinema, literature, history lessons at school, the mass media, and the arts. The ritual of the celebration gradually obtained a distinctive character with a number of similar elements: ceremonial meetings, speeches, lectures, receptions and fireworks.<ref name="szf.lu.lv">{{cite web|last1=Ločmele |first1=K. |last2=Procevska |first2=O. |last3=Zelče |first3=V. |year=2011 |title=Celebrations, Commemorative Dates and Related Rituals: Soviet Experience, its Transformation and Contemporary Victory Day Celebrations in Russia and Latvia |editor-last=Muižnieks |editor-first= Nils |editor-link=Nils Muižnieks |work=The Geopolitics of History in Latvian-Russian Relations |location=Riga |publisher=Academic Press of the University of Latvia |url=https://www.szf.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/szf_faili/Petnieciba/sppi/lat_un_starp/The%20Geopolitics%20of%20History%20in%20Latvian-Russian%20Relations.pdf |access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref>

In Russia during the 1990s, the 9 May holiday was not celebrated with large Soviet-style mass demonstrations due to the policies of successive Russian governments. Following [[Vladimir Putin]]'s rise to power, the Russian government began promoting the prestige of the governing regime and history, and national holidays and commemorations became a source of national self-esteem. Victory Day in Russia has become a celebration in which popular culture plays a central role. The 60th and 70th anniversaries of Victory Day in Russia (2005 and 2015) became the largest popular holidays since the collapse of the Soviet Union.<ref name="szf.lu.lv"/>

In 1995, as the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, many world leaders converged on [[Moscow]] to attend the city's first state sponsored ceremonies since the end of the Soviet Union. In 2015 around 30 leaders, including those of China and India, attended the 2015 celebration, while Western leaders boycotted the ceremonies because of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russian military intervention in Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ww2-anniversary-russia-idUKKBN0NU0BB20150509 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222075307/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ww2-anniversary-russia-idUKKBN0NU0BB20150509 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 22 December 2015 |title= Russia stages WW2 victory parade as Ukraine bristles |publisher= [[Reuters]] |first1= Vladimir |last1= Soldatkin |first2= Jack |last2= Stubbs |first3= Timothy |last3= Heritage |date= 2015-05-09| access-date= 2016-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11594959/Russias-Victory-Day-Parade-marks-new-East-West-divide.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11594959/Russias-Victory-Day-Parade-marks-new-East-West-divide.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= Russia's Victory Day Parade marks new East-West divide |work= [[The Daily Telegraph]] |first= Tom |last= Parfitt |date= 2015-05-09 |access-date= 2016-05-09}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  The [[2020 Moscow Victory Day Parade|2020 edition of the parade]], marking the [[diamond jubilee|75th anniversary]] of the victory over Nazi Germany, was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/8263303|title = Путин отложил подготовку к параду Победы}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/04/16/putin-postpones-75th-victory-day-parade-over-coronavirus-a70022|title=Putin Postpones 75th Victory Day Parade over Coronavirus|date=16 April 2020}}</ref>

[[Russophone]] populations in many countries celebrate the holiday regardless of its local status,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1076362.html |title= Estonia: Local Russians Celebrate End of World War II |website= [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date= 9 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513094227/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1076362.html |archive-date=13 May 2014|access-date=19 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> organize public gatherings and even parades on this day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mospat.ru/archive/9223.html |script-title=ru:В Канаде прошли праздничные мероприятия, посвященные Дню Победы |trans-title=Russian Orthodox Church in Toronto celebrates Victory Day |website=Mospat.ru |date=8 May 2005 |access-date=15 July 2012 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928204659/http://www.mospat.ru/archive/9223.html |archive-date=28 September 2011 }}</ref> Some multilanguage broadcasting television networks translate the "Victory speech" of the Russian president and the parade on [[Red Square]] for telecasts for viewers all over the globe, making the parade one of the world's most watched events of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.courier.co.il/?id=31726 |title=May 9 parade TV-event from Israel |publisher= [[Courier (Israeli newspaper)]] |date= 9 May 2009 |language= ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210162818/http://www.courier.co.il/?id=31726 |archive-date= 10 February 2012 |access-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{failed verification|date= April 2015}}</ref> [[RT (TV network)|RT]] also broadcasts the parade featuring live commentary, and also airs yet another highlight of the day – the [[Minute of Silence]] at 6:55{{nbsp}}pm MST, a tradition dating back to 1965.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

Because of [[World War II casualties of the Soviet Union|massive losses]] among both military and civilians during [[World War II]], Victory Day is one of the most important and emotional dates in Russia.<ref>[https://sarov24.ru/mneniya/1298-den-pobedy-istoriya-prazdnika.html Осознаёт ли современная молодёжь всю важность Дня победы? © Саров24 (in Russian) 4-05-2017]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.business-gazeta.ru/article/132043|title=Опрос недели: Почему праздник 9 Мая не теряет своей актуальности?|website=www.business-gazeta.ru|date=9 May 2015 }}</ref>

===Other countries currently celebrating 9 May===
[[File:Президент- связующую нить поколений нужно во что бы то ни стало сберечь.webm|thumb|Belarusian President [[Alexander Lukashenko]] delivering a speech on Victory Day in 2019.]]
[[File:2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade 13.jpg|thumb|Uzbek President [[Shavkat Mirziyoyev]] at the [[2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade]]]]
* {{flagicon|ARM}} [[Public holidays in Armenia|Armenia]] has officially recognized 9 May since [[Armenia#Restoration of independence|its independence]] in 1991. It is officially known as Victory and Peace Day. The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/victory-peace-day-armenia/|title=Victory and Peace Day: May 9|last=Anon|work=Holidays around the world|publisher=A Global World|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> [[Shushi Liberation Day]] is also commemorated with the holiday.
* {{flagicon|AZE}} [[Public holidays in Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]] has officially recognized 9 May since 1994. Upon [[Azerbaijan#Republic era|its independence]] in 1991, the [[Azerbaijani Popular Front Party]] and later the government of [[Abulfaz Elchibey]] deliberately erased the holiday from the calendar, with veterans being subjected to a targeted anti-Russian/Soviet media campaign. Upon coming to power, [[Heydar Aliyev]] restored the holiday to the national calendar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/world/1153833|title=Azerbaijan suggests holding UN General Assembly session on anti-coronavirus fight}}</ref> The holiday is similarly celebrated as it was while the country was [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/victory-day-azerbaijan/|title=Victory Day Observed in Azerbaijan|last=Anon|work=Holidays around the world|publisher=A global world|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> A wreath laying ceremony is usually held at the monument to [[Hazi Aslanov]].
* {{flagicon|BLR}} [[Public holidays in Belarus|Belarus]] has officially recognized 9 May since [[Belarus#Independence|its independence]] in 1991 and considers it a non-working day. The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]]. Belarus has had seven Victory Day Parades, on [[Independence Square, Minsk|Independence Square]] and [[Victors Avenue|Masherov Avenue]] (1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2025) and has had an annual ceremony on [[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]] since independence.
* {{flagicon|BIH}} [[Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]] has officially recognized 9 May since its [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|independence]]. However, it is not a working day only in [[Republic of Srpska]].
* {{flagicon|CRO}} [[Public holidays in Croatia|Croatia]] has officially recognized 9 May as Victory Day over Fascism as a memorial day since 2019, which is a legally-recognised day, but is not a public holiday.
* {{flagicon|GEO}} [[Public holidays in Georgia|Georgia]] has officially recognized 9 May since [[Georgia (country)#After restoration of independence|its independence]] in 1991. The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]]. It is particularly celebrated in this way with the [[Russians in Georgia|Russian community]] in the country.
* {{flagicon|ISR}} In Israel, Victory Day on 9 May has historically been celebrated as an unofficial [[national memory|national remembrance]] day. However, in 2017, [[Victory in Europe Day (Israel)|Victory in Europe Day]] was upgraded to the status of an official [[Public holiday|national holiday day of commemoration]] by the [[Knesset]], with schools and businesses operating as usual.<ref>[https://knesset.gov.il/spokesman/eng/PR_eng.asp?PRID=13547 Israel passed the law on 26 July 2017].
</ref> As a result of immigration of many Red Army veterans, Israel now hosts the largest and most extensive Victory Day celebrations outside the former Soviet Union.{{cn|date=May 2023}} Traditions and customs of Victory Day are the same as in Russia, with marches of Immortal Regiments held in cities with large populations of Red Army veterans and their descendants.
* {{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Public holidays in Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan]] has officially recognized 9 May since [[Kazakhstan#Independence|its independence]] in 1991 as a national holiday. The holiday is sometimes celebrated in connection with the [[Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakhstan)|Defender of the Fatherland Day]] holiday on 7 May. From 1947 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]]. 
* {{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Public holidays in Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyzstan]] has officially recognised 9 May since [[Kyrgyzstan#Independence|its independence]] in 1991. The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]]. 
* {{flagicon|MNG}} [[Public holidays in Mongolia|Mongolia]] had officially recognized 9 May during its existence as a [[Mongolian People's Republic|satellite state of the Soviet Union]]. The holiday continues to be celebrated unofficially throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theubpost.mn/2016/05/15/mongolia-marks-victory-day/|title=The most popular sports in the UK (2019 Statistics)|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624093003/http://theubpost.mn/2016/05/15/mongolia-marks-victory-day/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|MNE}} [[Public holidays in Montenegro|Montenegro]] officially recognised 9 May as Victory Day over Fascism as an official holiday.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
* {{flagicon|SRB}} [[Public holidays in Serbia|Serbia]] celebrates 9 May as Victory Day over Fascism but it is a working holiday. Still many people gather to mark the anniversary with the war veterans, including the President, Minister of Defense and the highest officers of the [[Serbian Armed Forces]].
* {{flagicon|TJK}} [[Public holidays in Tajikistan|Tajikistan]] has officially recognised 9 May since [[Tajikistan#Independence|its independence]] following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.tj/ru/news/stalinabad-9-maya-1945-goda|title=Сталинабад. 9 мая 1945 года – Новости Таджикистана ASIA-Plus|website=www.news.tj|access-date=6 May 2019|archive-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506143330/https://www.news.tj/ru/news/stalinabad-9-maya-1945-goda|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|TKM}} [[Public holidays in Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]] has officially recognised 9 May since [[History of Turkmenistan#Independence and Turkmenbashi|its independence]] in 1991. It officially known as the Day of Remembrance of National Heroes of Turkmenistan in the 1941–1945 World War. It was established by a special decree of [[President of Turkmenistan]] [[Saparmurat Niyazov]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/3035|title=TURKMENISTAN MARKS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE FALLEN IN WORLD WAR II &#124; Turkmenistan.ru|website=www.turkmenistan.ru|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190905/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/3035|url-status=dead}}</ref> The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fG9zk5Y3MugC&q=parade+in+ashgabat+1997&pg=PA48|title=Turkmenistan|first=Paul|last=Brummell|date=6 May 2019|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=9781841621449|access-date=6 May 2019|via=Google Books}}</ref> Since 2018, it has not been a public holiday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hronikatm.com/2017/10/den-nezavisimosti-turkmenistana-sovpal-s-dnem-zakryitiya-aziadyi-a-9-maya-bolshe-ne-vyihodnoy-den/|title=День независимости Туркменистана совпал с днем закрытия Азиады, а 9 мая больше не выходной день|date=11 October 2017|website=Хроника Туркменистана}}</ref> Various events are conducted at famous parks such as Altyn Asyr Park and the National Cultural Centre's Palace of Mukams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/turkmenistan-victory-day/|title=Turkmenistan Celebrates Victory Day}}</ref> In recent years, Turkmen prisoners have received pardons from the [[President of Turkmenistan]] on Victory Day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/6959|title=Turkmenistan to pardon more than 900 convicts ahead of Victory Day &#124; Turkmenistan.ru|website=www.turkmenistan.ru}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|UZB}} [[Public holidays in Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]] has officially recognised 9 May from 2 March 1999, where the holiday was introduced as the "Day of Remembrance and Honour" (''Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni'').<ref name="Their memory lives on">{{cite web|url=http://www.ut.uz/eng/opinion/their_memory_lives_on.mgr |title=Their memory lives on |publisher=Ut.uz |access-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516133021/http://www.ut.uz/eng/opinion/their_memory_lives_on.mgr |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}</ref> It is the only country in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] to not officially recognize the 9 May holiday as Victory Day. Under President [[Islam Karimov]], the holiday was toned down, with many veterans being told not to wear their Soviet-era decorations or uniforms on the holiday.<ref>{{Cite news|title=World War II – 60 Years After: For Some Central Asians, 'Great Patriotic War' Is More Controversial Than Ever|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1058790.html|access-date=2020-07-13|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=8 April 2008 |language=en |last1=Saidazimova |first1=Gulnoza }}</ref> Since Karimov's death in 2016, the holiday has been celebrated there similarly to how it was celebrated while the country was [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].

===Countries formerly celebrating 9 May===
* {{flagicon|BGR}} [[Public holidays in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] officially recognized 9 May during its existence as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. Since 1989, all official celebrations of 9 May have been cancelled. As in other EU countries, Victory Day in Bulgaria is 8 May, whereas 9 May is [[Europe Day]]. However, many still gather unofficially to celebrate Victory Day on 9 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bnr.bg/en/post/100968559/bulgaria-marks-europe-day-and-victory-day|title=Bulgaria marks Europe Day and Victory Day|website=bnr.bg|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> Flowers are generally laid at the [[Monument to the Soviet Army, Sofia|Monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia]].
* {{flagicon|MDA}} [[Public holidays in Moldova|Moldova]] officially recognized 9 May as [[Public holidays in Moldova|a public holiday]] from [[Independence of Moldova|its independence]] in 1991 to 2023. From 1951 to 1991, the holiday had also been celebrated during the country's rule by the Soviet Union as the [[Moldavian SSR]]. It is now officially known as the "Victory Day and Commemoration of the Fallen Heroes for the Independence of the Fatherland" ({{langx|ro|Ziua Victoriei și a Comemorării Eroilor Căzuți pentru Independența Patriei}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=9 mai - Ziua Victoriei şi a Comemorării Eroilor Căzuţi pentru Independenţa Patriei |url=https://m.moldovenii.md/md/section/752}}</ref> Victory Day was a major national holiday, particularly due to Moldova's [[Russians in Moldova|Russian community]] and also due to the [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova]] (PSRM) and its state-sponsored Victory Day rallies of 2017 on the [[Great National Assembly Square, Chișinău|Great National Assembly Square]] at Chișinău. Wreath-laying ceremonies were commonly held at the [[Eternity Memorial Complex, Chișinău|Eternity Memorial Complex]] of Chișinău during the day.
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]] officially recognised 9 May as [[Public holidays in Poland|a state holiday]], where it was known as ''Narodowe Święto Zwycięstwa i Wolności'' ("National Victory and Freedom Day") from 1945 until 2015. Until 1950 it was also a day free from work. The holiday served both as a celebration of victory against Nazi Germany as well as to highlight the union between the [[Polish People's Republic]] and the USSR. It was a key celebration that was observed with parades and major events throughout the entire country. Since the fall of the Eastern Bloc, the holiday had become controversial in Poland. Since 24 April 2015, Poland officially recognised ''Narodowy Dzień Zwycięstwa'' ("National Victory Day") on 8 May (like Victory in Europe Day) in place of the previous holiday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mamy nowe święto państwowe. Po raz pierwszy obchodzimy Narodowy Dzień Zwycięstwa|url=https://tvn24.pl/polska/mamy-nowe-swieto-panstwowe-po-raz-pierwszy-obchodzimy-narodowy-dzien-zwyciestwa-ra540368-ls3301484|access-date=2015-05-08|website=TVN24.pl}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Public holidays in Romania|Romania]] officially recognized Victory Day as [[Public holidays in Romania|a public holiday]] during the [[Socialist Republic of Romania|communist era]]. Since Romania's [[Romanian War of Independence|1877 independence day from the Ottoman Empire]] also coincides with Victory Day on 9 May, the holiday was made a double celebration, especially under [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]] who sought to portray [[National communism in Romania|communism in Romania]] as a continuation of Romania's independence struggles from previous centuries. Victory Day in Romania is now celebrated on 8 May, whereas 9 May is celebrated as [[Europe Day]]. However, some Russophiles, Eurosceptics and leftists gather at informal meetings to celebrate Victory Day on 9 May. Thus, it may mark a triple celebration in the country.
* {{flagicon|UKR}} [[Public holidays in Ukraine|Ukraine]] officially recognised 9 May from [[Ukraine#Independence|its independence]] in 1991 until 2013, where it was a non-working day. If it fell on a weekend the following Monday was non-working.{{efn|name=LvivDay|1= In 2010, [[Lviv Oblast]] started to not recognize Victory Day, but rather recognizing the day as a memorial to all wartime victims of both the Soviet and Nazi regimes, as well as all of those caught in between.<ref name="1079513LvivGPWT"/> Starting in 2011, 8 and 9 May were celebrated as Days of Remembrance of the Victims of World War II.<ref name="1079513LvivGPWT">{{in lang|ru}} [http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/1079513 Lviv Regional Council abandoned the term Great Patriotic War], [[Korrespondent.net]] (25 May 2010)</ref>}} The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]]. According to opinion polling by [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]], in 2010 almost 60% of Ukrainians considered Victory Day one of the biggest holidays of Ukraine.<ref name=mi-povertaemo-nashij/> In 2015, Ukraine started to officially celebrate [[Victory Day over Nazism in World War II]] on 9 May, per a decree of parliament (the [[Verkhovna Rada]]). Additionally the term "[[Great Patriotic War (term)|Great Patriotic War]]" as a reference was replaced with "World War II" in all [[Law of Ukraine (legislation)|Ukrainian legislation]].<ref>[http://fakty.ictv.ua/ua/index/read-news/id/1547748 «Велику Вітчизняну війну» замінили на «Другу світову»&nbsp;— закон] {{in lang|uk}}. Fakty. [[ICTV (Ukraine)|ICTV]]. 09.04.2015</ref><ref>[http://tyzhden.ua/News/133920 Депутати врегулювали питання про відзначення в Україні перемоги над нацизмом] {{in lang|uk}}. [[The Ukrainian Week]]. 09.04.2015</ref> Since 15 May 2015, [[Communist]] and [[Nazi]] symbols are [[Decommunization in Ukraine|prohibited in Ukraine]].<ref name=decomnU95>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/05/15/7068057/ Poroshenko signed the laws about decomunization]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. 15 May 2015<br>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/265988.html Poroshenko signs laws on denouncing Communist, Nazi regimes], [[Interfax-Ukraine]]. 15 May 2015</ref> Before 15 May 2015, Ukraine held military parades in the capital on [[Khreshchatyk]] in 1995, 2001, 2010, and 2011, and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1463653-1-87|title=День Перемоги: як його святкували в Україні у різні роки|website=Інформаційне агентство Українські Національні Новини (УНН). Всі онлайн новини дня в Україні за сьогодні – найсвіжіші, останні, головні.|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> On May 8, 2023, [[Ukrainian President]] [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] signed a decree according to which Ukraine would celebrate [[Europe Day]] on May 9,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Україна щорічно 9 травня відзначатиме День Європи - указ президента |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2023/05/8/7161194/ |accessdate=2023-05-08 |website=www.eurointegration.com.ua |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=President's Decree declares May 9 as Europe Day in Ukraine |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3706199-presidents-decree-declares-may-9-as-europe-day-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=8 May 2023 |lang=en}}</ref> and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill establishing May 8, the [[Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939 – 1945]], as a day off instead of Victory Day over Nazism in World War II on May 9.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Piper |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-05-08 |title=Ukraine moves day to mark Nazi surrender in shift towards West |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/bringing-ukraine-closer-europe-zelenskiy-marks-1945-nazi-surrender-2023-05-08/ |access-date=2023-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=9 травня в Україні відзначатимуть День Європи, 8 травня - День пам'яті та перемоги над нацизмом у Другій світовій війні - Зеленський |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/908646.html |accessdate=2023-05-08 |website=Інтерфакс-Україна |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Service |first=RFE/RL's Ukrainian |title=Zelenskiy Declares May 9 'Europe Day' Ahead Of Russia's World War II Anniversary |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-military-russia-drone-attacks-anniversary/32401350.html |accessdate=2023-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zelensky Makes Pointed Putin Move Ahead of Russia's Victory Day Parade |url=https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-ukraine-europe-victory-day-putin-1798937 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=MSN |date=8 May 2023 |lang=en-US}}</ref> On May 29, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada made the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939 – 1945 on May 8 as a public holiday, canceling the Victory Day over Nazism in World War II on May 9.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Service |first=RFE/RL's Russian |title=Ukrainian Lawmakers Move Victory Day From May 9 To May 8 |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-victory-day-changed-may-8-9/32433095.html |access-date=2023-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Ukraine, May 8 officially to be Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/in-ukraine-may-8-officially-to-be-day-of-remembrance-and-victory-over-nazism-50328069.html |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=english.nv.ua |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rada adopts law on Day of Remembrance, Victory over Nazism in Second World War |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/913258.html |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=День пам'яті та перемоги над нацизмом зробили офіційним вихідним |url=https://espreso.tv/v-ukraini-den-pamyati-ta-peremogi-nad-natsizmom-u-drugiy-svitoviy-viyni-zrobili-ofitsiynim-vikhidnim |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=espreso.tv |language=uk}}</ref>  In 2022, following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], only 13% of [[Ukrainians]] were ready to celebrate May 9.<ref name=mi-povertaemo-nashij>{{Cite web|title="We are returning an honest history to our state": Zelensky addressed Ukrainians on the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. Video|trans-title=''Ми повертаємо нашій державі чесну історію'': Зеленський звернувся до українців у День пам'яті та примирення. Відео|url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/society/mi-povertaemo-nashij-derzhavi-chesnu-istoriyu-zelenskij-zvernuvsya-do-ukraintsiv-u-den-pamyati-ta-primirennya-video.htm|website=[[Obozrevatel]]|date=2023-05-08|accessdate=2023-05-30|language=Ukrainian|first=Ольга|last=Ганюкова}}</ref> According to a study conducted by the [[Kyiv International Institute of Sociology]] in February 2024, 11% of Ukrainians celebrate Victory Day as the most popular holiday, while [[Christmas in Ukraine|Christmas]] is 70%, Easter is 68% and New Year is 47%. Sociologists note that in 2010, Victory Day on May 9 was one of the most important holidays, as 58% of Ukrainians thought so. However, already in 2021, only 30% of Ukrainians considered it an important holiday. The decline in the popularity of Victory Day in Ukraine is explained by the fact that this day is very actively celebrated in [[Russia]] as a militaristic holiday.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=Важливість Дня перемоги серед українців знизилась на майже 50% за останні 10 років – КМІС |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-den-peremohy-sotsiolohiya/32937927.html|website=Радіо Свобода|date=2024-05-08|access-date=2024-05-08|lang=uk}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=ukr&cat=reports&id=1405&page=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1i8dwe40tfefHaqxWf3eK8mhp6eK2FjUMSmCklMkgwJEHjNa9-ujBwJRo_aem_AVuTPmXkwDc5UYU_I0rrilfP-trE5nJjc3Z7TUvrUdychtNHHebkTeA74Mkgwz_wjEZsR42tv1v6pLBLWwniqWcv|title=Прес-релізи та звіти - СТАВЛЕННЯ УКРАЇНЦІВ ДО СВЯТ 1 ТРАВНЯ (ДЕНЬ ПРАЦІ) І 9 ТРАВНЯ (ДЕНЬ ПЕРЕМОГИ) З 2010 ДО 2024 РОКУ|website=www.kiis.com.ua|access-date=2024-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=KIIS: The importance of Victory Day among Ukrainians has decreased by almost 50% over the past 10 years |url=http://odessa-journal.com/public/kiis-the-importance-of-victory-day-among-ukrainians-has-decreased-by-almost-50-over-the-past-10-years |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Odesa Journal |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Unrecognized states celebrating Victory Day===
{{uncited section|date=April 2023}}
* {{flagicon|Abkhazia|state}} [[Public holidays in Abkhazia|Abkhazia]] has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].
* {{flagicon|South Ossetia|state}} [[Public holidays in South Ossetia|South Ossetia]] has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast|part of the Soviet Union]].
* {{flagicon|Transnistria|state}} [[Public holidays in Transnistria|Transnistria]] has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the polity was [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|part of the Soviet Union]].

===Former states===
* {{flagicon|CZE}} From 1948 to 1993, the communist-dominated [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic]] celebrated the holiday on 9 May in concert with the Soviet Union. Then, it was mainly celebrated with a military parade of the [[Czechoslovak People's Army]] (ČSLA) on [[Letná]] every five years to mark the end of World War II and the anniversary of the [[Prague uprising]] (the first one took place in 1951 while the last of these parades took place in 1985).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/praha-zazila-vojenskou-prehlidku-po-23-letech.A081028_130928_ln_praha_mtr|title=Praha zažila vojenskou přehlídku, po 23 letech {{!}} Domov|date=2008-10-28|website=Lidovky.cz|language=cs|access-date=2019-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/415142-prahou-ma-buracet-velkolepa-vojenska-prehlidka.html|title=Prahou má burácet velkolepá vojenská přehlídka|website=Novinky.cz|date=21 September 2016 |access-date=2019-07-15}}</ref> Since the [[Dissolution of Czechoslovakia]] in 1993, [[Public holidays in the Czech Republic|Czech Republic]] has officially recognized [[Victory in Europe Day|8 May as Liberation Day (''Den osvobození'')]]. In recent years the Prague uprising and liberation of [[Plzeň]] by American troops have been commemorated on 5 May.<ref>{{cite news |title=World War II Liberation Commemorations Culminate in Pilsen{{!}} U.S. Embassy in The Czech Republic |url=https://cz.usembassy.gov/world-war-ii-liberation-commemorations-culminate-in-pilsen/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=U.S. Embassy in The Czech Republic |date=7 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morning |first1=Prague |title=Czechs Commemorate Anniversary of Prague Uprising |url=https://www.praguemorning.cz/czechs-commemorate-anniversary-of-prague-uprising-qf4py3uxee/ |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=Prague Morning |date=5 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Czech and Slovak Republics: Czech and Slovak Republics |date=2013 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-4654-1265-2 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uG3OMue7q2wC&q=5+may+Prague+Czech&pg=PA28 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|DDR}} The [[German Democratic Republic]] recognized ''Tag der Befreiung'' (Day of liberation) on 8 May, it was celebrated as a public holiday from 1950 to 1966, and on the 40th anniversary in 1985. Only in 1975 was the official holiday on 9 May instead and that year called ''Tag des Sieges'' (Victory Day). In [[Public holidays in Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]], events are held on [[Victory in Europe Day|8 May]] to commemorate those who fought against Nazism and died in World War II. Also, on 8 May, the German state of [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] since 2002 has recognised a commemorative day ''Tag der Befreiung vom Nationalsozialismus und der Beendigung des 2. Weltkrieges'' (Day of Liberation from National Socialism, and the End of the Second World War).
* {{flagicon|USSR}} [[Soviet Union]] celebrated 9 May since 1945, with the day becoming a public holiday since 1965 in some Soviet Republics.
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}} officially recognised 9 May from 1965 to its disestablishment after the [[Yugoslav Wars]]. The first victory parade was held on [[Bulevar kralja Aleksandra|Bulevar revolucije]] in the presence of [[Josip Broz Tito|Marshal Josip Broz Tito]] in 1965 and was held every 5 years since (save for 1980) until the final parade in 1985.

===Former unrecognized states===
* {{flagicon|Artsakh|state}} The [[Republic of Artsakh]] had officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1991. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast|part of the Soviet Union]]. It coincided with the country's [[Shushi Liberation Day|Liberation Day]], celebrating the Armenian victory in the [[Capture of Shushi]].

===Holiday traditions===
====Victory Day Parades====
{{See also|Moscow Victory Day Parade}}
[[File:Victory Day Parade 2005-18.jpg|thumb|The [[2005 Moscow Victory Day Parade|2005 Victory Day parade]] on [[Moscow]]'s [[Red Square]].]]
[[File:Парад в честь 70-летия Великой Победы - 19.jpg|thumb|[[2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade|2015 Victory Day parade]] on [[Moscow]]'s [[Red Square]].]]
[[File:2021_Moscow_Victory_Day_Parade_013.jpg|thumb|2021 [[Moscow Victory Day Parade]]. [[Military parade]]s and Soviet military symbolism play an important role in the 9 May celebrations across Russia.]]
[[Victory Day Parades]] are [[military parades]] that are held on 9 May, particularly in various post-soviet nations such as [[Russia]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Belarus]], and until 2015, [[Ukraine]]. Outside of the former Soviet Union, military victory parades have also been held in [[Serbia]], [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]]. The first victory day parade on [[Red Square]] took place with the participation of the [[Red Army]] and a small detachment from the [[First Polish Army]] on 24 June 1945. After a 20-year hiatus, the parade was held again and became a regular tradition among [[Eastern Bloc]] countries and Soviet allies. Countries that had this tradition included [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Czechoslovakia]], both of which had their last parades in 1985.<ref>{{cite web | title=Prague Experienced a Military Parade After 23 Years | website=Lidovky.cz | date=2008-10-28 | url=https://www.lidovky.cz/domov/praha-zazila-vojenskou-prehlidku-po-23-letech.A081028_130928_ln_praha_mtr | language=cs | access-date=2019-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/analytics/moving-towards-new-meanings-9-may-in-the-balkans/|title=Moving Towards New Meanings. 9 May in the Balkans|first=Alexander|last=Pivovarenko|website=russiancouncil.ru}}</ref> After the [[fall of the Soviet Union]], they quickly fell out of style in [[Europe]] and soon became a practice among [[post-Soviet nations]], many of which have large Russian populations. In 1995, Russia, [[Kazakhstan]], [[Belarus]], and [[Ukraine]] held parades for the first time since 1991.

====Mass processions====
In Belarus on non-jubilee years, a procession is held from [[October Square, Minsk|October Square]], which ends with the laying of wreaths on [[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=правды»|first=Геннадий МОЖЕЙКО {{!}} Сайт «Комсомольской|date=2020-01-28|title=Президент Беларуси поедет на парад Победы в Москву впервые за всю историю?|url=https://www.kp.ru/daily/27084/4156223/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=KP.BY – сайт «Комсомольской правды»|language=ru}}</ref> In 2015, a parade of young people, cadets of military lyceums, young athletes took place on Bishkek's [[Ala-Too Square]], attended by President [[Almazbek Atambayev]] and Prime Minister [[Temir Sariev]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meria.kg/ru/post/11806|title = В столице прошел Парад юных наследников Победы!}}</ref>
The [[Immortal Regiment]] ({{Langx|ru|Бессмертный полк; Bessmertniy Polk}}) is a massive civil event staged in major cities in Russia and around the world every 9 May. Since it was introduced in 2012, it has been conducted in cities such as [[Moscow]], [[Washington D.C.]], [[Dushanbe]], [[Berlin]], and [[Yekaterinburg]]. Participants carry pictures of relatives or family members who served during the Second World War. The front line of the procession carries a banner with the words ''Bessmertniy Polk'' written on it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano_en/contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_in/zonas_in/ari110-2018-milosevichjuaristi-immortal-regiment-pride-prejudice-russia|title = The Immortal Regiment: The pride and prejudice of Russia}}</ref> Up to 12&nbsp;million Russians have participated in the march nationwide in recent years.  Since 2015, the President [[Vladimir Putin]] and senior Russian officials have participated in the procession in Moscow.<ref name="rferl.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-immortal-regiment-grassroots-to-quasi-religious-cult/28482905.html|title=Russia's Immortal Regiment: From Grassroots To 'Quasi-Religious Cult'|website=www.rferl.org}}</ref> It has come under criticism by those who charge that participants are carrying photographs and discarding them after the event.<ref name="rferl.org"/>{{efn|name=ImmortalRegimentDay|1= [[Immortal Regiment#Criticism|Critics of the Immortal Regiment]] have accused the government of co-opting the tradition to promote patriotism and loyalty rather than remember the country's war dead. The event remains popular nonetheless, as many Russian families were affected by the war.<ref name="rferl.org"/>}}

====Gatherings at monuments====
Members of government usually take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at their national war memorial, usually dedicated to the specific war victory. Wreaths are often laid at memorials such as the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Moscow)]], the [[Monument to the Unknown Sailor]] ([[Odesa]]), and the Monument to [[Hazi Aslanov]] ([[Baku]]). Although [[Latvia]] does not officially recognize 9 May, most of the large [[Russians in Latvia|Russian community]] informally celebrates the holiday, with trips to the [[Victory Memorial to Soviet Army]] being common in [[Riga]], with some diplomats ([[ambassadors of Russia]], Kazakhstan, and Belarus) as well as some politicians ([[Nils Ušakovs]], [[Alfrēds Rubiks]]) also taking part.<ref>{{cite news |title = Thousands mark Soviet Victory Day in Riga |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]] |url = https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/thousands-mark-soviet-victory-day-in-riga.a128864/ |date=9 May 2015 |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Crowds mark Soviet 'Victory Day' in Rīga |publisher=[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]] |url = https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/history/crowds-mark-soviet-victory-day-in-riga.a277718/ |date=9 May 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018}}</ref> On 20 April 2023 the [[Saeima|Latvian Parliament]] passed a bill to ban all public celebrations on May 9, the only exception being Europe Day.<ref name="20230420LatvianSaeima"/> The law was meant to stop the "glorification of warfare and to stem the propagandist distortions of World War II history often implicit in Victory Day celebrations."<ref name="20230420LatvianSaeima">{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/04/20/latvian-saeima-outlaws-post-soviet-victory-day-celebrations-only-europe-day-festivities-will-be-permitted-on-may-9|title=Latvian Saeima outlaws post-Soviet Victory Day celebrations. Only Europe Day festivities will be permitted on May 9.|website=[[Meduza]]|date=20 April 2023|accessdate=20 April 2023|language=English}}</ref>

====Religious commemorations====
In the Easter message of 1945, the [[Patriarch Alexy I of Moscow]] wrote:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jmp.ru/ya43.php?ys=45&my=05&rm=OFC4&sr=450502|title=Журнал Московской Патриархии|website=jmp.ru|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020004025/http://jmp.ru/ya43.php?ys=45&my=05&rm=OFC4&sr=450502|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|The Easter joy of the Resurrection of Christ is now combined with the bright hope of an imminent victory of truth and light over the untruth and darkness of German fascism, which before our eyes is crushed by the combined force of our valiant troops and the troops of our allies. The dark forces of fascism were not able to resist the light and power of Christ, and God's omnipotence appeared over the imaginary power of man.}}

Every 26 April ([[Old Style]], O.S.; 9 May, New Style or N.S.), the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] commemorates the dead, being the only special remembrance day for the dead with a fixed date. After the [[liturgy]], a memorial service for the fallen soldiers is served in all churches and monasteries of the Orthodox Church. The annual commemoration on Victory Day "of the soldiers who for faith, the Fatherland and the people laid down their lives and all those who died in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945" was established by the [[Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church|Bishops' Council]] of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1994.<ref>[http://calendar.rop.ru/mes1/apr26.html Месяцеслов, 26 апреля по старому стилю / 9 мая по новому стилю] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102201/http://calendar.rop.ru/mes1/apr26.html|date=18 May 2015}} // Русская Православная Церковь. Православный календарь на 2016 год.</ref> On the eve of the 65th anniversary in 2010, [[Patriarch Kirill of Moscow]] gave his blessing for all the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church to perform a "prayer service in memory of the deliverance of our people from a terrible, mortal enemy, from a danger that our Fatherland has not known in all history". The patriarch composed a special prayer for this rite, taking as a basis the prayer of [[Philaret Drozdov]], written in honor of the victory of the [[Imperial Russian Army]] over the [[Grande Armée|French Grande Armee]] during the [[Napoleonic Wars]].<ref name="kirill">[http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=35458 Патриарх Кирилл написал специальную молитву для Дня Победы] // Интерфакс, новости, 6 мая 2010 года, 12:42.</ref> The completion of the [[Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces]] was timed to Victory Day in 2020.

====Other events====
Traditions such as the Victory Relay Race are held on jubilee anniversaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asiaplustj.info/en/news/tajikistan/society/20200221/tajikistan-will-take-over-victory-relay-race-in-early-may|title=Tajikistan will take over Victory Relay Race in early May &#124; Tajikistan News ASIA-Plus|website=asiaplustj.info}}</ref> In 2013, Turkmenistan conducted live-fire military exercises "Galkan-2013" (Shield-2013) dedicated to the 68th anniversary of the Victory, observed by President [[Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov]] at the Kelyata Training Center of the [[Ministry of Defense (Turkmenistan)|Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan]] in the [[Bäherden|Bäherden District]] of the [[Ahal Region]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/17179.html|title = Turkmenistan holds live-fire military exercises &#124; Turkmenistan.ru}}</ref> In 2016, Moldovan Defence Minister [[Anatol Șalaru]] attended a display of vehicles from the [[Moldovan National Army]] and the [[United States Army]] in the central park of [[Chișinău]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/167598/moldova_welcomes_us_soldiers|title = Moldova welcomes US Soldiers}}</ref> In April 2020, an official in the [[Western Military District]] of Russia announced that an air show would be held at [[Kubinka (air base)|Kubinka air base]] in Victory Day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1152073|title = Russians to watch live air show of aerobatic groups near Moscow on Victory Day}}</ref>

On Victory Day, many books on topics such as the war such as [[Panfilov's Twenty-Eight Guardsmen]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kazakh-tv.kz/en/view/society/page_212252_book-on-panfilovs-guardsmen-is-published-on-the-eve-of-75th-anniversary-of-great-victory|title = Book on Panfilov's Guardsmen is published on the eve of 75th anniversary of Great Victory}}</ref> are published. On the eve of the diamond jubilee, President Vladimir Putin, at the request of Chancellor [[Sebastian Kurz]], gave a live address broadcast Austrian TV channel [[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/society/1154347|title = Putin: Russia grateful to Austria for careful treatment of wartime burial sites}}</ref>

==Soviet and post-Soviet symbols associated with Victory Day==
[[File:Orden-Pobeda-Marshal Vasilevsky.jpg|thumb|Soviet [[Order of Victory]]]]

===Banner of Victory===
{{Main|Victory Banner}}

The [[Victory Banner]] refers to the Soviet military [[banner]] raised by the Soviet [[soldier]]s on the [[Reichstag building]] in [[Berlin]] on 1 May 1945. Made during the [[Battle of Berlin]] by soldiers who created it while under [[battle]]field conditions, it has historically been the official symbol of the Victory of the Soviet people against Nazi Germany. Being the 5th banner to be created, it was the only army flag that was prepared to be raised in Berlin to survive the battle. The [[Cyrillic script|Cyrillic]] inscription on the banner reads: "[[150th Rifle Division|150th Rifle]], [[Order of Kutuzov]] 2nd class, [[Idritsa]] Division, [[79th Rifle Corps]], [[3rd Shock Army]], [[1st Belorussian Front]]", representing the unit that soldiers who raised the banner were from. On 9 May, a specially made replica of the Victory Banner is carried by a [[color guard]] of the [[154th Preobrazhensky Independent Commandant's Regiment]] through [[Red Square]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/su%5Evctry.html|title=Banner of Victory (Soviet Army in Berlin, 1945)|website=www.crwflags.com}}</ref> The Victory Banner was brought to [[Kyiv]] from [[Moscow]] in October 2004 to take part in the parade in honor of the [[60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Ukraine]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} In 2015, the banner was brought to [[Astana]] to participate in the [[Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakhstan)|Defender of the Fatherland Day]] parade on 7 May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://astanatimes.com/2015/04/historic-scenes-retro-military-equipment-to-be-presented-in-victory-parade/|title=Historic Scenes, Retro Military Equipment to be Presented in Victory Parade – The Astana Times|date=2015-04-24|work=The Astana Times|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Saint George's Ribbon===
{{Main|Ribbon of Saint George}}
[[File:2015-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 182.jpg|thumb|Residents of [[Donetsk]] carry the ribbon and portraits of ancestors who fought in [[World War II]], 9 May 2015.]]
The [[Ribbon of Saint George]] is a military symbol that dates back to the era of the [[Russian Empire]]. It consists of a black and orange bicolour pattern, with three black and two orange stripes. 
In the early 21st century, it became an [[awareness ribbon]] to commemorate the veterans of the war, being recognized as a [[patriotism|patriotic]] symbol.<ref name=OD150501>{{cite news |url= https://opendemocracy.net/od-russia/oleg-kashin/hunting-swastikas-in-russia |title= Hunting swastikas in Russia |first= Oleg |last= Kashin |author-link=Oleg Kashin|publisher= OpenDemocracy.net |date= 1 May 2015 }}</ref> In countries such as Ukraine and the [[Baltic states]], it has been associated recently with [[Russophilia]] and [[Russian irredentism]].<ref name=RFE150507>{{cite news |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/victory-day-st-george-ribbon-orange-and-black/26999911.html |title=For Victory Day, Post-Soviets Show Their Colors – Just Not Orange And Black |first1= Ihar |last1= Karney |first2= Daisy |last2= Sindelar |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date= 7 May 2015 }}</ref> It has become especially associated with Russian support for the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. In Ukraine the government chose to replace it with the [[remembrance poppy]] which is associated with the [[Remembrance Day]] commemorations in the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[British Commonwealth]].<ref name=kp5>{{cite news|title=Ukraine breaks from Russia in commemorating victory|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/ukraine-breaks-from-russia-in-commemorating-victory-388068.html|access-date=8 May 2015|agency=Kyiv Post| quote="“In the 1960-70s there were no St. George’s Ribbons seen during the Victory Day parades. If someone showed up with a ribbon, it would be a violation."}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Yaffa |first=Joshua |url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2014/05/vladimir-putins-victory-day-in-crimea.html |title=Vladimir Putin's Victory Day in Crimea |magazine=The New Yorker |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=2014-05-09}}</ref>

On 5 May 2014, the [[Belarusian Republican Youth Union]] encouraged activists not to use the ribbon due to the situation in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.svoboda.org/a/25379021.html|title=Георгиевская лента напугала Лукашенко|newspaper=Радио Свобода |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=12 August 2016 |last1=Цыганков |first1=Виталий }}</ref> In time for Victory Day 2015, the ribbon's colors were replaced there by the red, green and white from the [[Flag of Belarus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thanhniennews.com/world/russians-embrace-kremlinbacked-wwii-ribbon-42876.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055913/http://www.thanhniennews.com/world/russians-embrace-kremlinbacked-wwii-ribbon-42876.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2015|title=Russians embrace Kremlin-backed WWII ribbon|date=4 May 2015|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref>

===Awards===
[[File:Da zdravstvuet nasha Pobeda! Marka SSSR 1945.jpg|thumb|1945 Soviet stamp; the Russian inscription below the Soviet soldier waving the [[Red flag (politics)|red flag]] with [[Joseph Stalin]] on it, says, "Long live our victory!"]]

====Soviet Union====
{|
|[[File:OrderVictoryRibbon.svg|border|80px|Order of Victory]]
|[[Order of Victory]]
|}

{|
|[[File:Order of Glory Ribbon Bar.svg|border|40px|Medal For the Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945]]
|[[Medal For the Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:SU Medal For the Capture of Berlin ribbon.svg|border|40px|Medal For the Capture of Berlin]]
|[[Medal For the Capture of Berlin]]
|-
|[[File:SU Medal Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Medal For the Twentieth Anniversary of the Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"]]
|-
|[[File:SU Medal Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"]]
|-
|[[File:SU Medal Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Medal for the 40th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "Forty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"]]
|}

====Russia====
{|
|[[File:RUS Medal 50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль «50 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.»]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "50 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"|Medal for the 50th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:RUS Medal 60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 60 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"|Medal for the 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:RUS Medal 65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 65 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "65 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"|Medal for the 65th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:RUS Medal 70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 70 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"|Medal for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:RUS Medal 75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 75 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"|Medal for the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|}

====Ukraine====
{|
|[[File:RUS Medal 60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 60 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" (Ukraine)|Medal for the 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:Ювілейна медаль «70 років Перемоги над нацизмом» (стрічка).PNG|border|40px|Medal for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazism]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "70 Years of Victory over Nazism" (Ukraine)|Medal for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory over Nazism]]
|-
|[[File:Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky UA ribbon bar (1st class).svg|border|40px|Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky]]
|[[Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky]]
|}

====Azerbaijan====
{|
|[[File:"Böyük Vətən müharibəsində Qələbənin 75 illiyi (1945-2020)" yubiley medalının lenti.png|border|40px]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Azerbaijan)|Medal for the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]<ref>[https://azertag.az/xeber/Boyuk_Veten_muharibesinde_Qelebenin_75_illiyi_1945_2020_Azerbaycan_Respublikasinin_yubiley_medalinin_tesviri-1476763 “Böyük Vətən müharibəsində Qələbənin 75 illiyi (1945-2020)” Azərbaycan Respublikasının yubiley medalının təsviri]</ref>
|}

====Kazakhstan====
{|
|[[File:RUS Medal 60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|40px|Медаль 60 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг. (Казахстан)]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945"|Medal for the 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|-
|[[File:RUS Medal 70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 ribbon.svg|border|40px|Медаль 70 лет Победы в Великой Отечественной войне 1941–1945 гг.]]
|[[Jubilee Medal "70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"|Medal for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945]]
|}

====Turkmenistan====
*Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parahat.info/404|title=ПОИСК|website=www.parahat.info}}</ref>
*Jubilee Medal "75 Years of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://milligosun.gov.tm/habar/prezident-turkmenistana-podpisal-ukazy-o-nagrazhdenii-yubileynoy-medalyu-v-chest-75-letiya-velikoy-pobedy-MRDrgTXuRv|title = Türkmenistanyň Prezidenti Beýik Ýeňşiň 75 ýyllygy mynasybetli ýubileý medaly bilen sylaglamak hakynda Permana gol çekdi}}</ref>

====Israel====
{|
|[[File:Fighters against Nazis Ribbon.jpg|40px|אות הלוחם בנאצים]]
|[[Fighters against Nazis Medal]]
|}

==Gallery of the celebrations==
<gallery class="center" perrow="5" heights="200" widths="200">
File:День Победы в Армении 04.jpg|2018 celebrations at the Mother Armenia monument in [[Yerevan]].
File:Ilham Aliyev attended ceremony to mark-Victory Day in Baku 04.jpg|President [[Ilham Aliyev]] with war veterans in [[Baku]] in 2018.
File:Заграничная командировка в г. Минск, республика Беларусь.jpg|The victory parade in [[Minsk]] in 2015.
File:Парад по случаю Дня независимости Белоруссии при участии авиации ЗВО (1).jpg|Belarusian veterans during Victory Day in 2017.
File:Т-72Б Вооружённых Сил Казахстана.JPG|A T-72 tank during a Victory Day parade in [[Kazakhstan]] 2015.
File:May 9th - 3 (1980). (13147721854).jpg|Victory Day in the [[Moldavian SSR]] in 1980.
File:Elderly people on Victory Day in Russia.jpg|Veterans during Victory Day in Russia.
File:Uzvaras piemineklis. Uzvaras parks. Rīga 9 maijs 2016.jpg|Flowers near [[Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders|Victory Memorial]] in [[Riga]], Latvia in 2016.
File:Улица накануне 9 мая.jpg|A sign on a Dushanbe Avenue for Victory Day.
File:Immortal Regiment in Crimea (26954468185).jpg|Local residents in [[Crimea]] at «[[:ru:Бессмертный полк|Immortal regiment]]», carrying portraits of their ancestors and participants in [[World War II]], 9 May 2016.
File:Игорь Додон на Дне Победы.jpg|Moldovan former president [[Igor Dodon]] (wearing the Ribbon of Saint George) with members of the [[Șor Party]] at a Victory Day [[Moldovan protests (2022-present)|rally in Moldova]] on [[Victory Day (Russia)|9 May 2023]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[End of World War II in Europe]]
* [[Hero City (Soviet Union)|Hero city]]
* [[Immortal Regiment]]
* [[Moscow Victory Day Parade]]
* [[Pobediteli]]
* ''[[Pobedobesie]]''
* [[Reunification Day]] (Vietnam)
* [[Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War|Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation]]
* [[Victory Day]] in other countries
* [[Victory Day Parades]]
* [[Victory over Japan Day]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=a}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://paradpobedy.ru/exhibitionlist Major photos period of time]
* {{wikisource-inline|German Instrument of Surrender (7 May 1945)}}
* {{wikisource-inline|German Instrument of Surrender (8 May 1945)}}
* [http://english.pobediteli.ru/ Interactive map of the Great Patriotic War between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxTrI8crYow 9 мая, 1991 год, Алма-Ата]
* [https://www.c-span.org/video/?65027-1/russian-national-newscast The Russian evening newscast featuring the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of V-E Day in Russia] on [[C-SPAN]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpLO4CWj18 Russian Army Parade (1995)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZqx9VXsMQU Russian Army Parade, Red Square (1995)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN0dbDExTOg Мероприятия ко Дню победы в Ереване]
* {{cite web|url=https://neweasterneurope.eu/2025/06/05/how-russias-neighbours-re-evaluated-victory-day-after-the-2022-invasion-of-ukraine/|title=How Russia’s neighbours re-evaluated Victory Day after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine|first=Alexander|last=Neuman|date=2025-06-05|accessdate=2025-06-17}}
 
{{Public holidays in Russia}}
{{Public holidays in Armenia}}
{{Public holidays in Azerbaijan}}
{{Public holidays in Georgia (country)}}
{{Moscow Victory Parade}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aftermath of World War II in Germany]]
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