May 9 was to have been celebrated in grand fashion in Russia as Victory Day – the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany. As noted in a news analysis by Pavel Felgenhauer, writing for Eurasia Daily Monitor, “The anniversary celebrations of victory over Nazi Germany in May 1945, which ended World War II in Europe, have become the main yearly public relations event in President Vladimir Putin’s Russia.” And this year’s observance of the anniversary was to be the main state event of the year, the analyst pointed out, “bigger than any such commemorations to date.”
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the huge parade planned for May 9 was cancelled, though it was promised that the military parade and other mass events would be rescheduled for later in the year. Mr. Felgenhauer commented: “The grandiose celebrations, at which a number of foreign leaders and state delegations were expected, would have enhanced Mr. Putin as a top world leader abroad and, maybe more importantly, internally,” as his public support has been slipping.