Triumphalism
"It's the only opportunity for the nation to assert itself. There are no other foundations for national pride left.
"This is the triumph of the Soviet Union over Hitler's Germany and at the same time a triumph over the West. It's a declaration of might, the transformation into a superpower."
Lev Gudkov, sociologist, director, Levada Center
"I'm proud of the victory of the Soviet people and the Soviet Union, but neither of them exists any more. Russia looks on the map the way it did in the 17th century."
"The victory should be celebrated as long as the country is using the fruits of this victory."
Alexander Mikhailov, engineer at military rocket launch sites
 |
| At one point the tank driver raised a red flag - apparently to signal problems |
Soviet triumph in Second World War memories are on bold display as the 70th anniversary of Victory Day is planned for tomorrow. Black-and-orange St. George's ribbons are everywhere; "To Berlin!" stickers are flaunted on car windows; wartime television bulletins from the front line feature on the evening news as May 9 approaches and yet another pompous display of military might is set to swell Russian hearts with patriotic pride.
Overcoming all obstacles arrayed before it from that historical occasion when Russian pride overcame German might, to the present where the Kremlin is facing the irritation of plunging energy prices and Vladimir Putin's forays on the international stage have created sanctions that though affecting the economy, haven't affected the military's funding and the signal achievements of new, technologically advanced war machines.
One of which !whoops! decided to stall at its glorious moment on public display. Although a red flag signalling engineering problems had been sent up in warning, the parade announcer, thinking fast, spoke of the stall as deliberate event, meant to showcase 'evacuation' technique. A comic moment for the crowd enjoying the parade rehearsal enormously. No problem, a tow truck was called in to move the hulk, which eventually moved itself.
 |
| A tow vehicle was brought in, but the T-14 Armata tank later managed to drive on its own -- Reuters |
So, are tow trucks going to become common sights on future Russian battlefields to accompany these powerful new tanks? And has anyone done the arithmetic relating to the number of Russians who perished under the Nazi onslaught as opposed to those who died patriotically under the orders of Stalin during the glory days of the USSR? Such inconvenient details are always a pain to consider.
Similar to the pain of knowing the international community simply is unfair and has no understanding of history, much less the pride and pain of the Russian Federation. Russia is a noble, well-balanced, fair and uncorrupted country, little wonder it is enraged by its neighbour Ukraine which has decided to a) become more fascist even as it b) moves closer to the West, leaving it perfectly entitled to take back its history resplendent in Crimea.
And for his uncompromising courage in defying the campaign the West has undertaken to delegitimize Russian statesmanship and world power status, Vladimir Putin can be assured that his 80 percent popularity rating can only grow until it becomes a veritable groundswell of demand that he be crowned emperor of all he surveys.
Labels: Conflict, Crimea, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, World War II
posted by Pieface @ Friday, May 08, 2015
<< Home