

Below, small groups waving old-style Soviet red flags and the Russian tricolor walked through the city center, singing Russian war-time songs. Sukhoi fighter jets and military helicopters flew in lines, almost unnoticed, in the sky over St Petersburg on the day. Photo: Russian Union of Veterans Downbeat celebration St Petersburg/Leningrad World War II veteran Tamara Galashova. But because of the time difference between Western Europe and Moscow, the date falls on May 9 for Russians and other peoples of the former Soviet Union. What Western Europeans call VE (“Victory Europe”) Day is celebrated on May 8, the date of the German surrender in 1945.

May 9 marks the end of World War II in Europe for Russians.

The country is currently being shaken by some 10,000 new Covid-19 infections daily, and has entered the Top 5 ranking for countries impacted by the virus.Īs a result, the most sacred day on the Russian calendar – “Victory Day, “May 9 – was celebrated this year with minimal fanfare. The defiant spirit of Galashova’s generation is exactly what Russia needs today. She was only 14 when, pretending to be 16, she enlisted as a combat medic in the 268th Rifle Division on the Leningrad front.Īfter saving 15 lives and being wounded herself, Galashova was presented with the medal “For the Defence of Leningrad.” If you find an error, please let us know.A native of St Petersburg – the city known as Leningrad during World War II – she lost her entire family to German bombing as the Nazis laid siege to the Baltic city.
#Victory day 2020 update
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. Many soldiers sacrificed their lives for this victory and are remembered on this day. Victory Day in Ukraine is a time to commemorate the triumph of the former Soviet Union (which Ukraine was once a part of) over the Nazi rule during World War II. Victory Day is a national public holiday in Ukraine so many businesses, as well as government offices and educational institutions, are closed. Victory Day also includes a moment of silence to honor war victims, as well as people laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Kiev (Kyiv).

Business Date to Date (exclude holidays).
