UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 787 - 9 MAY 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin used his speech on Victory Day on May 9 to reaffirm his belief that the West is trying to erase the Soviet Union's contribution to the victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (World War II) - an accusation that is at the center of Russia's hostile perception of the West.

During the Victory Day parade, held in commemoration of the victory and sacrifices of the Soviet Union in World War II, Putin claimed that "they", referring to the West, were trying to "distort" the truth about World War II and "destroy" the memory of Soviet heroism and sacrifices.

Putin used a recent meeting with the commanders of several Russian units on the front lines to present himself as an informed and effective commander-in-chief of the Russian armed forces, who understands the intricacies of the situation on the front lines and is involved in solving the problems of the Russian military.

Putin surrounded himself with a number of foreign officials at the Victory parade, presumably to also present himself as an effective statesman capable of forming an alternative coalition to the power structures of the collective West.

The full Russian Offensive Update 787 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR