by Rollo Tomasi

Sunday, May 9, 2010 – Moscow…10a.m., a sudden mechanical roar and vibration from above shook us from our sound sleep as windows rattled, the flat shook and the cats jumped and scurried for cover. Looking out the window pasted white against the bright blue sky were three Tupelov 160 heavy bombers rumbling low down the tangent of Tverskaya, a mere three blocks away in the center of the Russian capital.

The celebration for Victory Day was on, the Soviet era pomp and circumstance reflected in the glass and chrome panes of posh shops and high end luxury cars that populate this home to countless oligarchs.

65 years ago marked the end of World War II. But people still remember those terrible days when much of Europe was swallowed by fascist troops, and when Nazi concentration camps compounded the devastation to millions of families. But today commemorates the heroic Soviet troops and their climatic triumph in the spring of 1945

This past Sunday, May 9th, amid the extravagance and opulence that is modern Moscow, over 10,000 Russian troops accompanied 161 pieces of heavy armor and ballistic missiles plus 120 planes and helicopters through Red Square marking the 65th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front in World War II.

More than 4 million people took to the streets of Moscow and took part in some 200 outdoor events around the city, with over 600 Russian and CIS veterans of World War II present to celebrate the day.

“Today at this solemn parade, the soldiers of Russia, the states of the CIS [Commonwealth Independent States] and the anti-Hitler coalition march together,” President Dmitry Medvedev said in his address to the troops. The Russian President several times in the run up to parade day raised Russia’s frequent complaint that other countries fail to acknowledge the Soviet Union’s contribution to the Second World War during which over 27 million Soviets are estimated to have perished including more than 8 million soldiers.

Victory Day is both a life-affirming experience and a moment of solemn commemoration not without controversy as this year for the first time, Western troops participated in the parade. 1,000 soldiers from the United States, Britain, France and Poland marched alongside Russian soldiers as a gesture of solidarity and political goodwill between former war allies.

Medvedev was accompanied by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who attended the parade joined by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Israeli President Shimon Peres. Israel, home to a large Russian community, also celebrates Victory Day on May 9.

Foreign guests also included veterans of the Normandie-Niemen air fighter squadron, French pilots who flew Soviet planes in the Red Air Force.
In the interview, Medvedev harshly criticized Josef Stalin, the country’s leader during World War II, saying the dictator, still a popular figure among many Russians, “committed many crimes against his own people.”

3 Responses to “High and Tight at 65”

1. Leland says:

   May 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm

   I’m retired US Navy Senior Chief IT. I have great respect for Russia because I have read so much on Russian history. I would love to have a russian girlfriend.
2. Jerry says:

   May 20, 2010 at 8:41 pm

   I am a historian with extensive knowledge of European and Russian history. It is important that the world better understands the horrific suffering the Russian people endured during World War 2.
3. Chris says:

   May 14, 2010 at 5:07 pm

   You guys truly took an incredible bashing in the 2nd world war and afterwards with Stalins purges that you really must commerate this victory in style.The fantastically brave defences of your various cities in midwinter,under the most appalling conditions with even your women fighting in hand to hand combat,the world should never forget. I personally think your women are the most beautiful on earth.
   May health,wealth and happiness be abundant to your nation.