Russian identity has been largely created with Victory Day in the background, with schoolbooks and history books focusing on Russia as EuropeвЂ™s wartime liberators. The Victory Day parade was occasionally marked in the Soviet era and revived by President Boris Yeltsin for the 50th anniversary in 1995, but it was Vladimir Putin in 2008 who made it an annual event featuring military hardware. RussiaвЂ™s leader often uses this moment to send messages of intent. Regiments that played a key role in the war will parade in front of the top brass and the president, whose address will echo across Red Square and be scrutinised for what to expect next. Far from liberating Europe, Russia has waged months of war against its neighbour Ukraine and is devoid of any real form of military victory that it can celebrate. This year, the event has taken on a significance of its own. Twenty-seven million Soviet citizens died, by far the greatest loss of any country, in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War. Under Vladimir Putin, Victory Day has become a show of strength of troops and military hardware, as well as a chance to remember the sacrifices of World War Two. вЂњIn addition, the then Soviet Union appreciated the valour of the Indian armed forces and by the decree of, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR signed by Mikhail Kalinin and Alexander Gorkin awarded the prestigious Orders of the Red Star to Subedar Narayan Rao Nikkam and Havildar Gajendra Singh Chand of Royal Indian Army Service Corps,вЂќ it added.It has become an annual event вЂ“ the military parade in Red Square in Moscow and cities across Russia on 9 May, marking victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. вЂњThe valour of the Indian soldiers was recognised with the award of over 4,000 decorations, which also included the award of 18 Victoria and George Cross,вЂќ it stated. These campaigns have seen sacrifices by over 87,000 Indian servicemen, the statement said. It is all the more important for India to participate in the event,вЂќ he added.ДЄccording to the Army statement, during World War II, the British Indian armed forces were one of the largest Allied forces contingents, which took part in the North and East African Campaign, Western Desert Campaign and the European Theatre against the Axis powers. Because of their acrimonious relations with Russia, they are now staying away. Major western countries have participated in this celebration of the Allied victory over Nazism. Through the event, we also pay homage to the soldiers who fought the war. вЂњRussia is one of the key strategic partners and has deep-rooted ties with India. вЂњIn fact, in 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee attended the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Victory Day,вЂќ he said. Raghavan told ThePrint it is a major, historic event, which must be commemorated and something which India has consistently celebrated. вЂAll the more important for India to participateвЂ™Д¬hairman of the National Security Advisory Board and former ambassador to Russia P.S. вЂњRemember the UN was formed by the victors of WW-II,вЂќ he added. вЂњWe raised the worldвЂ™s largest all-volunteer Army of 2.5 million men,вЂќ he added.Д«ajwa further said the participation is particularly important at a time India is seeking a permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Talking about the Indian contingentвЂ™s participation, he said while the pandemic is a matter of concern, it is good to remind the world of IndiaвЂ™s contribution to the fight against fascism, and for freedom and justice. Indian troops too contributed greatly to the Allied victory,вЂќ he said. вЂњIt was a real victory won against great odds, with tremendous sacrifices by the Russian people (20 million dead). Military historian Mandeep Bajwa told ThePrint the event marks Soviet victory in World War II. As reported by ThePrint, New Delhi has apprised Moscow of the latest developments along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh earlier this month.ДЄlso read: вЂBooze BrigadierвЂ™ to egg & tent scams: Indian military must check falling standards in ethics Russia is one of the important strategic partners of India.

Russia victory day parade 2015