Ex-Soviet Union celebrates victory over Nazi Germany
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World War II veteran Asek Urmanbetov with his grandson at his home in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Asek Urmanbetov was a lieutenant in the 166th Infantry Division of the Second Baltic Front, called up in 1942 and fighting in Poltava, Vitebsk, Gomel.
Asek was awarded the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Patriotic War of the 2nd degree for military operations as a commander of a small platoon.
Kyrgyzstan and the rest of what was the Soviet Union on Saturday will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and allies over Nazi Germany in World War II.
With coronavirus infections rising, President Vladimir Putin last month postponed the highlight of Victory Day celebrations, a massive parade on Red Square that showcases Moscow’s most sophisticated military hardware, to an unspecified date.
A view of the Kremlin behind flags installed for the celebrations of the Victory Day in Moscow, Russia, 09 May 2020. Russia marks the 75th anniversary since the capitulation of Nazi Germany in WWII amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. EPA-EFE/SERGEI CHIRIKOV
In previous years, Putin basked in national pride as he watched Russian tanks rumble across the square with world leaders by his side. But a recent poll gave him his lowest approval rating in more than two decades and the country’s economy is slipping into a deep downturn.
Putin has described Victory Day celebrations as sacred to Russians but said a big public event was too risky during the pandemic. As of Friday, Russia had reported 187,859 coronavirus cases and 1,723 deaths.
A Belarus army armored personnel carrier (APC) vehicle moves along a street during a Victory Day military parade rehearsal in Minsk, Belarus, 08 May 2020. The parade will take place on 09 May despite World Health Organization recommendations to introduce social distancing in Belarus, postpone large gatherings and cultural events during the growing coronavirus outbreak. EPA-EFE/TATYANA ZENKOVICH
In a slimmed-down celebration, Putin will lay flowers at the Eternal Flame war memorial outside the Kremlin walls and deliver a speech.
Fireworks will be let off across Russia as much of the country remains in lockdown, the Defence Ministry has said.
The Russian air force will carry out fly-pasts over more than 47 cities, as well as at its military base in Syria, with a full array of jets and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters, the country’s most advanced warplanes.
Public processions commemorating Soviet participants in the war that are normally held on May 9 have been moved online, with people uploading pictures of family members and telling their war stories.
On the eve of the anniversary, Putin sent congratulatory letters to many former Soviet republics, as well as to the leaders of Britain, the United States and France.
