Russia this Thursday commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point in World War II and a symbol of patriotism championed by Vladimir Putin, in the midst of the offensive in Ukraine.
The celebrations come at a time of fierce fighting between Russian forces and Ukrainian soldiers in the former Soviet republic, which for almost a year has been the scene of a Russian offensive launched, according to the Kremlin, to “demilitarize” and “denazify” the neighboring country.
Stalingrad guessed right one million dead on the Soviet side and the withdrawal of Nazi troops. Today, in Volgograd, as it was renamed, huge billboards proclaim “Stalingrad, home of victory”. In the background some destroyed buildings, the remains saved of a ruined city after victory.
On the eve of the celebrations this Thursday, three busts have been discovered: those of two military leaders famous for their role in the mythical battle, Georgi Zhukov and Alexander Vasilievsky, but even that of Joseph Stalin.
This is an important event in Russia, as there are few monuments to his glory, which disappeared in the 1950s after the death of the leader and first timid criticism of the purgesthe gulags and the cult of personality.
The figure of Stalin’s guardian at the time of the offensive in Ukraine
Some statues reappeared in the 1990s, sometimes at Communist party headquarters in small towns, but never in such a solemn frame, with speeches by the elect, music from loudspeakers and bouquets of red carnations placed at the feet of the statues.
Before the new bust of the former USSR leader, Alexander Lozhkin, chairman of the regional Duma and the regional organization of veterans, said: “Now, in our city, there is a monument to the Supreme Commander Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.”
And he continued: “Today, in this period of special military operationswe probably understand like never before how difficult it is to be the head of combat operations, and today we understand that he did his job brilliantly and the enemy was defeated.
Meduza, a Russian-language news website based in Latvia, revealed on Thursday that it was just 120 meters of a monument to victims of repression of the bloodthirsty Soviet dictator.
The Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943) changed the course of the conflict in the Soviet Union, hitherto demoralized by numerous crushing defeats. And it is in this legacy that the government wants to place the offensive against Ukraine.
The city was host to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who traveled there to take part in a series of memorial events to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle that led to Adolf Hitler’s first surrender in 1943.
At 98, Evgeni Rogov is one of the last veterans still alive, it has even defeated covid-19 three years ago. He enlisted at 17 and served 30 as a soldier.
On his 80th birthday, he receives a parade of tributes and requests for interviews. And even if you have to repeat the questions out loud in your ear, their ideas remain clear and assertive.
It certainly adheres to the prevailing narrative in Russia. “Look at the conflict in Ukraine today. They well remember the faith of Bandera’s troops in their nationalist theories, which coincided with those of the Germans of the time. And now they continue to try to harm us. Let us educate our young people to firm the borders of our homeland. if necessary, we will return to Berlin”.
“We can do it again.” This slogan appeared in the Russian public space about ten years ago. This phrase, historians say, it was written by a Soviet soldier in the Reichstag after its capture in 1945 by soldiers of the Stalingrad battalion. It is an emblematic phrase of patriots and nationalists, equal to “Z” is today in the conflict in Ukraine.
Presence of the nephew of General De Gaulle
Among the festivities was a French presence. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, received Pierre de Gaulle -nephew of the former French president Charles de Gaulle- who showed himself recently very critical of Western policy in Ukraine.
“In Russia, Pierre de Gaulle’s objective assessments of the current geopolitical situation are highly appreciated,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
With information from AFP and sent by RFI in Volgograd, Anissa el Jabbri and Xavier Colás, correspondent in Moscow
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Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.