Dear friend Saker, why the hell is Bibi aside Putin all the time?
I could not see any Chinese, Syrian, Iranian leader there, only this killer of palestinians !
No it is not. Putin spends most of the time talking to Alexander Vucic, the Serbian president on his right. After the parade, Boobie tries to walk with Putin, but is put in his place (second rank) when Putin brings in a WWII veteran, after the security team were a little rough on him.
Ha ha! “Boobie” sounds good.
I find calling him “Bibi” misguided – I remember the cute actress Bibi Andersson. She’s the real Bibi.
My name for him is “Bibon” (bee-BON). It has gravity, and a Hebrew sonorousness.
(I really hope it doesn’t mean anything cute in Hebrew.)
Reading the reports tonight of the Israeli attack on Syrian forces — which some report as having killed Russian troops — make Netanyahu’s presence at the side of Putin during the Victory Day Parade amount to a kind of sacrilege.
In other years, there were other guests, e.g. the Chinese president Xi Jingping was a guest at the parade in Moscow in 2015.
Of course, many of the actions of the Israeli government are despicable. But the idea to invite the Israeli prime minister to this parade is perhaps not so far-fetched. As far as the commemoration of the victory against Nazi Germany is concerned, Russia and Israel have a lot in common. Israel is probably the only country outside the former Soviet Union that officially celebrates the victory against Nazi Germany on 9 May (some countries celebrate it on 8 May, but generally, it has less significance). While monuments about the victory of the Soviet army against Nazi Germany are being removed in Poland, Ukraine and Baltic countries, Israel has erected more such monuments in recent years. Apart from Israel, there is no other country outside the former Soviet Union where there are so many veterans of the war against Nazi Germany. While Western countries are almost completely silent about Nazis in the Baltics and Ukraine because that could hinder the propaganda against Russia, in Israel, not everyone is silent about this.
The world is complex. Certainly, there is a lot to criticize about Israel’s policies – killing unarmed demonstrators in Gaza, instigating US hostility against Iran, constant illegal military aggressions against Syria, decades of occupation and the complete failure to recognize the Nakba ethnic cleansing in 1948. But on the other hand, as far as the commemoration of the war against Nazi Germany is concerned, there are obvious commonalities between Russia and Israel, and the idea to invite the Israeli prime minister for this parade may not have been a bad one. In other years, there will be other guests again. Maybe from Iran and Syria. In the current international climate, representatives of Western countries would not be very likely to accept such an invitation (although, in my view, representatives of the Western WWII allies should, but now hostility against Russia seems to take precedence). In that sense, inviting the prime minister of Israel, a country that is generally aligned with Western powers, may not have been a bad idea – as far as the Western policies towards Russia is concerned, Israel occupies a special position, it does not have anti-Russian sanctions, and its prime minister does not have anything against attending such a parade – that also shows that how false claims about Russia being internationally isolated are, it is only a small group of countries, mostly NATO countries, that take part in the insane anti-Russian propaganda escalation.
Except (apart from de Gaulle) Russia/the USSR had no Western allies in WWII. Nazi Germany was 100% an affiliate and proxy of the evil, fascist, racist US-British Empire. Exactly comparable to AngloZionist boogieman ISIS/al-CIA-da, or the Nazis in the Ukraine, now.
“Apart from Israel, there is no other country outside the former Soviet Union where there are so many veterans of the war against Nazi Germany”.
It is unbelievable how effective the brainwashing education is. Have we forgotten, or did we ever know, what happened in Yugoslavia in the Second World War? Just to remind you, Serbia had two resistance movements (communist Partizans, who were Soviet allies, and the official Government’ Resistance (Chetniks)) fighting the Nazis all the time, and both joined with the Red Army in 1944 to continue liberating the country from the Nazis. Germany kept in addition to the Croatian, Italian and Albanian forces, four full divisions there permanently fighting the resistance fighters. More Serb fighters died in this war (about 500,000) than the English and the French soldiers put together. There was also a serious resistance movement in Greece. Where did this history go? Why is it being forgotten? Does it not feed the official narrative?
Sara, thank you for injecting a dose of truth and sensibility to this ridiculous narrative. What’s truly disturbing Is that these comments are coming from Saker readers (far more informed than most) and not the litany of trolls who are posting all over these threads.
And the reason is abundantly clear. The Serbs and the truth were sacrificed to bring on the post WWII new world order. It was convenient for all the major powers to rewrite the narrative and install their puppet Tito. Brazenly omitting the facts and covering up the greatest genocide committed during the second world war against any country.
The Serbian Kingdom of Yugoslavia was the first and largest resistance to the occupying axis powers in the early years of WWII. Serbia, having lost nearly 30% of its entire population in WWI, were easily manipulated by England and the USSR to break the non-aggression pact with Germany in 1941. Despite the horrific and potentially civilization destroying losses Serbia endured during WWI, the combination of loyalty to its allies and it’s deep mistrust of the Germans, laid the grounds for another mass slaughter of the Serbian people.
How was Serbia rewarded for it’s loyalty and tremendous sacrifice?
1.) The genocide of over 1,000,000 Serbian souls by the Nazis and their croatian, bosnian muslim And albanian
collaborators. In just the fabricated puppet state of croatia, the German high command estimated just the Croats murdered 750,000 Serbs (The croats claimed over a million )
2.) The theft of centuries old Serbian lands and the mass expulsion of millions.
3) The ultimate betrayal by England and the United States. Not only covering up the heinous crimes of the croats and muslims, but aiding in the destruction of the Serbia and the next 70 years of subjugation.
Below, are links to three videos that help illustrate the truth about WWII in the Balkans:
-The real story of the Vatican Ratlines, before the western propaganda in the 1990’s:
-The real story about Draza and the Cetniks. Apologies, While the narration is in English, some interviews are in Serbian without English subtitles because it was produced for Serbian audiences:
Lisbeth Salander
No, Putin has not joined the empire. He obviously invited Bibi for a specific reason, not just to watch the parade. President Vuchich of Serbia was also there. A clear warning to NATO not to repeat it’s 1999 bombing of Serbia.
I was at my Victory Day celebrations today and the reason BN was there was actually explained::
1) Israel has just agreed to make May 9th a public holiday for the first time and to host proper Victory Day celebrations remembering and commemorating this fight and victory. So BN being at the parade ties into this.
and on another note – It was a working visit. Nothing more nothing less.
Why people want to read more into this is beyond me considering what fighting Nazism was all about – Israel along with Russia and the former Soviet republics have the strongest reasons to remember….and as you say BF the Serbian head of state was also present.
Russia needs to have a dialogue with Israel not only for the 1 million Russians who live there, but to try and talk some sense into BN – though he probably wont listen. I think him being there is a reminder to him of the past and to have a sense of how the Russians feel. He also marched in the immortal regiment holding a photo of a soviet hero – a bit of good PR by Russia.
(The trolls are ruining this thread – which should all be about remembering the past and fight against Nazism and appreciating the 27 million who died on the Soviet side to bring peace for us all).
Agreed, disinformation trolls are trying to confuse,discourage and create doubt among those who favor VVP and Russia.I noted the same behavior in regards to China earlier when they announced some changes in their economic policy, and the trolls were claiming they were making concessions to America, even though the Chinese made it clear they had made these decisions before hand and were following their own plan and timetable. I’m sure Russia is also following their own plan and timetable and the trolls are using certain events/instances of the timetable, that might look bad for Russia at face value, to spread disinformation against Russia.
Hey folks, have some patience please. I only asked a question. A provocative one, but still, just a question. I think this does not make me a troll :), does it?
Anyway, I recognize world is complex and keep communication channels open is the desirable behavior for every leader. I got a bit shocked to see how much close Bibi was to Putin in all moments of the celebration. I think also about the symbolism transmitted by these facts and atitudes. Considering the latest developments in Syria, what is happening to Iran and the behavior and attitudes of Bibi, hosting him in such so high profile way is not going to send a pleasant message across the Muslin world…
Lisbeth Salander
I think you are wrong. Israel has made threats against Iran. Putin invites Bibi, obviously to discuss the current situation in the Middle East, especially Iran and Syria. Some Muslims might be surprised by Bibi’s visit to Russia, but others will see it as Putins attempt to prevent a possible war.
By your name I can conclude that you are probably Swedish. If so, then perhaps you can tell us if Swedes really fear a Russian “invasion”, as I have been reading on the Internet. Why on earth would Putin want to invade Sweden ?
I hope to be wrong indeed. In many other situations, these kind of meetings leads to completely different outcomes.
There is also the symbolism. It is completely different to meet in the context of a previously stated peace summit for example… The presence of Bibi was too high profile and unless I have missed it, there was no previous official communicate about him attending the Victory Day in a such fashion. Maybe the muslin leaders were aware of this going to happen, but and about the muslin people?
If Bibi attended VD for a good reason, then I conclude Kremilin maybe has some communication strategy problem.
His presence is troubling wherever he put his feet.
I am Swedish, true. This does not make me brainwashed by default. I think it is very important do not confuse we, the people, with the “malta infecta” composed by these disgusting “policy makers” all around. Many among us does not buy these claims about Russia invading here or there. It is all bulshit. Mostly of the time, the politicians sustaining these claims are just corrupted people (VIP – vagabonds in power – as Fela Kuti told once ), trying to manipulate public opinion to diverge the attention from them to something else. Catalonia independence is a such case.
I’m trying to wrap my head around NoxiousYahoo’s prominent presence at this event too.
Putin’s a brilliant politician with a profound ethical center — or so it has long seemed. So how to account for such a malignant presence next to him at such an event? Plus, following the appointment of Medvedev and the dropping of Lavrov and Shoigu, this seems even more symbolically portentous. It’s hard to know how to spin this.
Personally, for now, rather than see this as a sign that Putin is finally revealing his true colors, genuflecting to a debased, craven, corrupt empire he craves to join — giving a lie to pretty much everything he’s said and stood for — I’m trying to find a positive spin to this.
The only positive I can come up with is that he’s following the dictum “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”. Perhaps Putin gave a front-row seat to that ziopsychobully to show him all the hardware that could rain down on him if he gets too out of line. Perhaps it was a high-profile way of putting a horse’s head in his bed. I don’t know. None of us citizens do. Yet.
Yes, the signs are troubling, but they’re just signs. Until I see how this pans out I’m giving Putin the benefit of the doubt. Appearances are just that — appearances. The substance behind them has yet to be revealed.
During an interview on national TV, Vucic, the Serbian president said that VVP knows all the details of every single piece of military equipment that was presented at the parade and was indicating which ones were very successfully used in Syria.
Serbia’s transition to Eurasia will be gradual but is in process. Serbia has mass investment from China and hasnt forgot the terror of NATO bombs or Croatian Fascism and Islamic Jihadism. Russia is Serbia only possible ally. Neither The EU nor Serbia has any intention of actually joining EU, they are just making a show.
Is he on Putin’s right, tall, with glasses? He was commenting to Putin during the flyover and talking to him during the walk after. As for Bibi, I agree with Adrian E. Russia and her armed forces have come a long way under Putin. I am sure Bibi has been watching them perform in Syria very closely. As a national fighting force I’m not sure who could match them today – especially defending their own turf. Compare their performance in Syria (and in securing Crimea) to assess competence in force projection as compared to the USA in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Efficient, effective, while using very limited resources – combat, special ops, community policing and peacekeeping, air and naval operations. Bibi has a front row seat in the theater of operations, so why not at the parade? Dialogue is good, with enemies as well as friends. We are watching the actions play out. Israel has not attacked Russian forces, nor Russia Israeli, but they are not on the same side in the conflict and have (at least some) conflicting interests in the region as a whole. I think it is important to impress upon Mr. BN that Russia is capable, competent, dangerous, but reliable. If they make an agreement they will keep it.
Guest 2
I believe Shoigu opened the parade. He was there. As for Netanyahu, there must be a reason for his attendance. I don’t think he came there just for the parade. Diplomacy is a complex art. You forgot to mention that Serbia’s President Alexander Vuchich was also there. This of course is a clear message to NATO not to repeat it’s 1999 bombing of Serbia.
I’m more interested by the russian decisions that have an impact than by symbolic gestures. He *may* get ride of the 3 that you mentionned, but it’s your interpretation (“guess”) that he will appoint liberal atlanticists. If Russia decides to pressure Iran & Syria to provoke a schism between both, that would be a bad move, inviting Netanyahu as a guest of honor for this parade is akward and will send a cold shower in the muslim world, but for the moment it is still a symbolic gesture.
Indeed, nauseating to behold Nyahoo!
Good for you, Guest 2, who refrained from viewing.
I had no idea that individual would feature so prominently.
Utter disgust!
Lavrov leaving that position would be a good thing. No man should have to deal with psychpaths day after day, year after year. We all talk about the Killtons, Kerrys, Boltons, Haleys. He actually had to sit down and talk to them and pretend they were human.
No evidence Putin is going libtard (more than usual, that is). He hasn’t done a clearing and probably can’t. It’s a democracy and he’s a president, not a Tsar. If people want this to change, they should stop promoting democracy. Stop saying “democracy now”. We’ve had it. It’s amy goodman’s face and it’s ugly.
Anonymous
This is not the first time you have given an anti-Putin comment. I believe he knows what he is doing. As for those characters you have listed, why on earth would he invite them ? To thank them perhaps ? Poroshenko ? May ? Macron ? Trump ? Would they really have come, even if the invitation was made ? Let us wait a week or so, so that we can have a clear picture of what is happening. Diplomacy is a complex art.
And America’s earlier attack against Syria coincided with Xi’s visit to Washington to meet Trump, did it make a difference? It’d seem propaganda and theatrics are all the USA/Israel is left with.
I am beginning to wonder how Russian public opinion is responding to the high-level appointments of Kudrin and Medvedev, both of whom are not exactly popular with the ordinary man on the Moscow omnibus. Both of these appointments could signal a shift in Russian policy – a shift in precisely the wrong direction. And now to cap it all the Satanic Netenyahu is feted! I wonder what the likes of Zhirinovsky and Dugin feel about this turn of events. It would now appear that the people who voted for Putin are now more forthright and uncompromising than the current leadership of Russia. There could be big political upheavals and even a political crisis ahead if the Russian leadership fails to lead.
Kudrin? No mention about Kudrin here: https://www.rt.com/politics/426148-duma-supports-putin-medvedev/
What`s your source about appointment of Kudrin? I know that Financial Times run a story about how Putin will appoint Kudrin as a financial minister and trolls went wild after that. But I think that the story was so called fake news. Financial Times was just feeding the trolls.
Francis Lee
I believe that it was “Russia Insider”, a US publication, which began speculating that Kudrin could be appointed. He has NOT been appointed. Look’s like we have a disinformation campaign, directed against Putin, the aim being to create divisions inside Russia. It won’t work. Cheap tricks.
Kudrin is not a neo Keynesian. He is a classical economist. No debt, cash reserves, gold , no bullshit. He is not an atlantist.
Everyone, this post is about the Victory Day celebrations today honouring those who died and survived the Great Patriotic War. Many comments are off-topic. Can those commenters please go to the relevant posts related to the other topics. Any further off-topic comments will go to trash. Mod.
1) Russia likes to bring up violations of ‘international law’. From the Golan Heights to Lebanese airspace to Syria – All are major violations of ‘international law’. When Russian officials speak of US violations of ‘international law’ they simply are saying that they do not have the desire to confront the US.
2) Russia, like it or not, has a very good working relationship with Israel. They do not see eye to eye on many issues, but they do have an odd mutual respect. Israel was encouraged to sanction Russia and kick out diplomats. They refused. Russia is concerned about Russia – Not the wellness of humanity. That is very apparent in how Putin has governed.
3) Spare me about the Russian speaking population in Israel. Russia has totally thrown the Russian speaking population of Latvia under the bus. Same with Ukraine. More Russians in the capital of Latvia than Latvians.
4) Countries like Syria, Iran, and Lebanon understand. None will be upset with Bibi at the parade. They know that Russia is not going to sacrifice much for them. What they want is a legitimate peace negotiator. America and Europe has failed them. They are hoping that Russia will be different.
5) Serbia is gone. It is Europe. Russia will do little about it. The more important issue is Armenia. Russia cannot afford to lose Armenia. As Armenians say, “The capital of Armenia is Moscow.”
Russian Bot Boy
No, what you have written cannot be accepted. All of it is highly suspicious, your motives being questionable. As for Serbia, it is NOT gone. I live in Serbia. President Vuchich was invited to Moscow as a clear signal to NATO that Russia will not tolerate another NATO bombing campaign, like the one in 1999.
As for Bibi attending the parade, he was not only invited to watch Russia’s latest high tech, but also to have the Russian stand regarding Iran and Syria explained to him. Iran is going to join the Eurasian Economic Union during the course of this year. Russia will not tolerate any attack against Iran.
Why would NATO bomb Serbia? Serbia is controlled by America. There are CIA officers roaming free all over the country. Serbian CIA agents are in every university, media firm, and political party. That is a fact. Serbia is also not that important to Russia anymore. Again, nothing Russia has done should make us think that they are out to save the world.
Russia will not strike Israel or the USA unless Russian troops are attacked. They have been very clear about this. If the USA/Israel attacked Iran then Russia might simply covertly help Iran. Crude prices would jump, they would get to rebuild the region, and they would become the sole mediator for the Levant. Again, Russia is not the White Knight that many want it to be.
In saying that, nobody is going to attack Iran. This is just more bluster. Israel could not even defeat a Lebanese militia in 2006. The U.S. has not won a war in like…Ever! Iran is a massive country that is nothing like Iraq. In Lebanon you have Hezbollah. Hezbollah combines the shrewdness of the Lebanese/Phoenicians with the commitment of religious warriors. It would not end well for Israel and they know it. Why so many within the Mossad want nothing to do with Netanyahu’s bravado.
Make no mistake about it. Netanyahu is not well-liked among many of the elite in the military and intelligence agencies of Israel. They would prefer a quieter approach than his Philadelphia antics (he even speaks English with a slight Philly accent). He graduated from Cheltenham High in Philly.
Ukrainians threw themselves under the bus, and are still doing so. Only the so-called ‘rebels’ woke up just in time and in big enough numbers to do something about it.
People want to conceive Putin as a superman who is saving the world, but this is not Hollywood and Putin ain’t Rambo. He is just doing what the real-politik requires him to do. The fact is that Russia is an ally to Israel and all delusions of the Euroasian military alliance (Russia – Turkey -Iran – Syria – Hizballah) is shattered. Russia wants to be allies with US, Israel and the west in general. Russia doesn’t want trouble and sanctions. Putin demonstrated to the west that he won’t allow crazy jihadist to run free in Russia by sending forces to Syria. Putin believes that the western elites will leave Russia alone from this point on. He seems to be succeeded in this goal, at least for now. I really hope the best for Russia, but I am not sure if Russia will survive in current form and shape in the future. Russia is already becoming somewhat obsolete even in her immediate neighborhood. Armenian color revolution showed the limits of Russian power projection. Currently it seems that Kremlin is taken over by western elitist cabal (Rockefeller cabal not the Rothschild neocons). Judging by their actions, Rothschild neocons wants Russia to be destroyed, but seems to me that Putin is aligning with Rockefeller elitists thinking that this would save Russia from being dismantled. I hope he is right for the long run. Thus this may explain the shuffle at Kremlin and removal of almost all the traditionalists (Euroasianists) for his next six years term. This also may explain why we see Netanyahu as a Guest of Honor side by side with Putin.
yeah yeah…Andrew Korybko continuous blabbering about how he is always right and then everyone else is wrong is never ending…why can’t he just put forward his opinion without mentioning how smart he is in understanding the complex geopolitics that only he can fathom.
Nothing wrong with Netanyahu (Mod. Note: insulting language deleted) meeting with Putin but victory day parade shoulder to shoulder send quite strong visuals about your general approach to the problem.
Makes me question now why even Russia bothers about Syria?
You are totally wrong in everything you write. It´s Eurasia that will take Israel, not opposite. Bibi was in Moscow in hope to get guidance from his his future ruler. And your theories about Rothchilds and Rockefellers are so boring. BTW, where´s Kudrin? Seems to me that Financial Times is not a very reliable source.
Your post is rather personal – please refrain or further comments will go to trash. Mod.
It is disgusting to see murderer Bibbi besides Putin but I understand that Putin is a very pragmatic leader so he does this with an aim. Putins mainly concern is Russia in the first place.
Having the Israeli prime minister at the Victory Day parade means he was working other dossiers than the war in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has just won for the first time, an absolute majority.
It is extremely rare for a country to start a major war while its head of state is in a foreign country, particularly one such as the Russian Federation.
It did not curtail several Iranians being killed by an IAF attack in Syria though.
My favorite scene was when a WW2 veteran, with many medals across his chest, was pushed aside by the security detail. Putin noticed, approached him, shakes his hand, then asks him to accompany him to the Alexandria Garden monument for the unknown soldier.
I also watched the march of the Immortal Regiment during breakfast today. Such a touching moment, to see so many people honor the past protectors of their land with respect and calm. The music played during the event was spot on. They say it reached 1 million participants this year. Congratulations to them and respect to their loved ones honored on this day, from my little corner of the world.
bibi wore the St George’s ribbon there, a nice one into the eye of fellow jew poroshitko, and good for upsetting all the morons in ukraine.
By the way, good Jew Steve Pieczenik is critical of bibi.
Happy Victory Day to all Russians, etc.
I like the answer of Russian Anonymous at min. 12:51.
I don’t know if Netanyahu asked Putin to come to Moscow or has he been invited. But there is some symbolism here, not only PR: It is Russia Victory Day.
It could be another one in the future, this could be the message.
Putin and Netanyahu are the Captains of the future belligerents. They decide if it is going to be a war or not ( more or less ) And no matter if the Russian government has been infiltrated by some neo-liberals or not, it is going to be a war, a huge one.Only the timings are unknown, but not the signs.
World Cup again.
Putin and Netanyahu play in the first League. Trump alone in the second League.May, Micron, Merkel in the third League. The other leaders are warming up on the benches or running along the field, almost never playing. .
Bibi is the waterboy of the opposition to Russia, not any Captain.
The US Hegemon will spit out Bibi when they need to.
Bibi cries in his towel when he goes to Moscow, this being his 8th trip in less than 2 years.
Russia wants Israel to calm down with the Palestinians, to be patient with Iranian “threats” and to stop supporting terrorists in Syria. It likewise wants Iran to stop the threats against Israel and to cease using Syria as a base against Israel.
Russia would like to be doing business with everyone. It’s intention is Trade, not war in the MENA. Russia would like to be more like China, concerned with economic relations rather than military operations. However, the turmoil of the ME keeps stirring new challenges.
It now comes down to this: Russia will make a defense shield that is like a NO FLY ZONE over Lebanon and Syria if Israel and the Arabs keep up their war-making and use of proxies.
Russia offers peace as price for its cooperation. Israel will have to choose peace not war if it wants to get Russian assistance to mitigate “threats”.
There also is an adjustment to thinking that Israel and Iran both must make. Russia is the regional decider from now on. Neither of the other two have accepted that limitation on their own dreams of regional hegemony. But it is a fact of life. Work with Russia or you have no friend and endless turmoil is all you will reap.
Turkey, Iran and Israel all have to understand and accept that reality.
” Bibi is the waterboy of the opposition to Russia, not any Captain.
The US Hegemon will spit out Bibi when they need to.”
I was talking about western PR characters not about the real power. The Deep State, wherever it may be ( and Not the US Hegemon ) prefers the Prime Minister of Israel over the President of US cos it sends a signal about them. That’s why the different Leagues.
In Russia the real power and the President’s power almost overlap.
I understand the need for diplomacy in this chaotic world, but still, there are limits to the kind of stunt a guest should be allowed to pull in your house…
Since Israel also turned May 9 into a national holiday this year (to my understanding), Netanyahu was invited to attend the ceremony in Moscow. He has “repaid” this diplomatic gesture of respect by comparing Iran, not only a russian ally, but also a country that did not attack another since the 18th century, to Nazi Germany, the expansionist regime that invaded most of Europe and caused the death of some 26 million soviet (mainly russian) citizens, by the time it was finally defeated, 73 years ago. He did that to Putin’s face, on this day of all days. This is a clear diplomatic insult and this rude foreign leader should be asked to leave Russia at once.
Netanyahu may be the true leader of the Anglozionist empire right now, making him the man to negociate with, but that should not give him the right to insult the intelligence of the russian people in Russia, on Victory Day.
Enough with the bibi this and bibi that. He was there for a meeting with the Russian President. Any foreign head of state that happen to be there at the time would have been invited just the same. This meeting was initiated by bibi. All these comments President Putin cozying up to the west, or it being a disgrace, or some other dumb comment is just showing ignorance.
Didn’t anyone notice the expression on President Putin’s and bibi’s faces when they entered? It clearly shows they are not on a real friendly footing at the moment.
Overall I thought it was a good event. Though I was a bit disappointed at the lack of good camera shots of the hardware. For some reason RT seemed to not want to show all the new goodies off.
I think Gabriel is right, Netanyahu the true leader of the US, look at Haley, Pompeo, Bolton. They are all fanatically pro-Israel. Putin has to negotiate with the real leader of the US, even if Netanyahu is rude and disgusting. Trump is an Israel firster who dotes on his Chabad Lubavtch daughter.
Yes, N-yahoo’s presence was tough for the eyes – but have any of you heard the saying: keep your friends close, and enemies closer? Wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the logic…
It is a pointer to the sad and decadent times we live in today to watch the March of the Immortal Regiment being desecrated by the presence of the president of a state that has been conducting a continuous genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine over the past several decades. How different is the pragmatic, self-centered, nationalistic leadership of the Russia of today compared to the internationalist ideals espoused and the concrete actions undertaken against injustice, oppression, and western imperialism by the erstwhile USSR! As long as the USSR existed, the developing world had a protector and a trustworthy and reliable friend. With its demise, the third world lost its protective shield and became, once again, the prey of imperialism. Alas, how different the speeches of V. I. Lenin from that of V. V. Putin! Like comparing the moon and six pence!
A salute to you, comrade! Yes, my friend, the collapse of the USSR has been a mortal blow to freedom all over the world.
We who held dear ideals of human freedom, human equality, international peace, and socialism failed somehow in our task. Yes, we have to accept that the USSR developed serious warts which turned cancerous and destroyed everything, including everything that was good, noble, and pure, alas.
Will the coming generations do better? Will they ever dream big dreams again? Or will they busy themselves counting money and chattering on social media? I don’t know. Let us pray, comrade. I think our one big mistake was to force out God in the name of false scientific rationalism.
I think few of you know how much planning and work goes in to Victory Day celebrations. In this little village the work and planning starts in earnest two months before the event and this includes Red Army Sevastopol, of which VCO and I are members. For us, this work included Lord knows how many hours of attention to the antique vehicles we use for this parade and other events all spring, summer and fall, almost all the vehicles being real, IOW built before the end of the war, and owned by the Red Army members. Do you have any idea how much work is involved getting 75 year old military vehicles operating well enough to do a road march from Balaklava and/or 35th Battery to Ushakova Square to form up for the parade?
Most of our uniforms are also real, NOS items still floating around, and those that aren’t are faithful reproductions as is the various leather harness elements worn by Red Army. The weapons are also real, de-milled for parade use. VCO spent one week getting our two uniforms fluffed and buffed, ready for the parade. All of this work is for one event on 09 May. Now, here’s our drill, one little family, husband and wife participating in this joyous, and sad, parade.
VCO and I were up at 03:00 on 09 May. Nanny for the children arrived shortly after 04:30, we left for Battery at 05:30 in a pouring rain. East and then south to Inkerman, from Inkerman to Yalta Ring, from the ring west to Battery. From Yalta Ring, the rain stopped and was replaced with pea soup fog in which one could not see more than 10 meters until we passed Fifth Kilometer Ring. Fog cleared completely at Fiolent Ring and the rain returned, actually a steady drizzle, the rest of the way to Battery, to which we arrived at roughly 06:20.
At 06:45 we formed up at Battery, the three remaining vehicles there, and headed east to City Center. The VDV unit next to Battery was a beehive of activity as heavy equipment was forming up on the road for their march to Ushakova Square. VAI, Military Police, waved us through the throng. Another 10 or so vehicles joined us at Fiolent Ring and followed us to Ushakov.
We arrived at Ushakova Square shortly after 07:00 and took position lining one side of Ulitsya Lenina on the north side of the square. The drizzle had stopped at Fiolent Ring and for the remainder of the time before the start of the parade there was enough blue in the sky for a Dutchman’s breeches.
There we sat as tens of thousands of citizens and guests poured south on Lenina, many of them stopping to look at and admire our vehicles….and us.
At 08:30 the heavy equipment arrived and took their positions north of us on Lenina, we then formed our vehicles in three lines behind them. When the Parade starts we fold out in to two lines, M 72 side cars in the van, our Jeep the first of the vehicles.
At 10:00 sharp, still with no rain, the Victory Day Parade commenced in front of the reviewing stands in Naxhimov Square. At 10:25 the heavy equipment began to move and we followed them and shook out in to Parade Formation. Half way down Lenina we are always called to halt at Ulitsya Marata, this to give time for the marching units including many hundreds of soldiers, cadets and youngsters, and the heavy equipment to proceed down Lenina past the reviewing stands. Reviewing stands are filled with veterans of the war and their spouses and with Stab of Fleet and Russian Army.
We sat as they all marched past Naxhimov Square and just before we were called to move, the rain started, not a deluge but a steady rain. VCO was in the rear of our Jeep with the lovely little daughter of our Kapitan driver. VCO is the semi official photographer for these missions but she had to put the Kodak in her ruck and wrap little Anastasiya in a rain cover.
Notice the sweet little elderly lady in the lead M 72 of Red Army at roughly 13:15. She was Partizan in Sevastopol during the war and to this day she’s as sharp as a tack. This lady is the basis for one the characters in my writings. Please also notice the numbers of children and young adults in Red Army and the cadet organizations marching in the parade. As we pass the reviewing stand we all salute the veterans and Stab as we pass, and we salute the veterans scattered through the crowds lining the march route.
Parade route is down Lenina from Ushakov Square, Pass in Review at Naxhimov Square, immediate left on Ulitsya Naxhimov, onward to Velka Morska and turn south. Parade ends at that intersection although goodly numbers of citizens are on Velka Morska to cheer is on.
The entire parade route was lined with untold thousands of citizens, standing in the rain and cheering the soldiers, sailors, Marines and VDV marching past, the heavy equipment and band, and us. We were showered with flowers, cheers and well wishes.
Behind us, marching in the rain, was the Immortal Regiment. Not a soul in the Immortal Regiment left the march before the parade termination spot. Not a soul in the entire route we followed had anything but smiles and cheers for the parade.
We went back to Battery and stood to for another three hours as citizens arrived at 35th Battery Museum in droves after the parade, talking to us and admiring the vehicles. We returned home in late afternoon, still damp from the rains, exhausted but happy.
Now. For those of you who are obsessed with who President Putin did or did not invite to the Moskau Parade, get a life. This parade, and the similar ones all over Russia and former SSSR, are to honor the veterans and, sadly, those who fell in this horrid war 75 years ago. We go to all this work to honor those who fought, and many millions gave their life and/or health, so we can be free. Every year the cadre of veterans in the reviewing stands at Naxhimov Square are fewer. When they are all gone, we will still have this parade and still honor them, this is our duty to those who fought for us. What do you, the nay sayers and predictors of the fall of Russia, do in your country for this day? Do you even know the date of this day without reading this blog? Do you have any sense of honor and duty for those who fought for us…and you? I didn’t think so.
It is good to come on the site today and see your post. I made a comment yesterday (@12.51pm EST/EDT above) as I also attended a smaller but important victory day celebration where the Russian Embassy had actually flown in some vets from Russia to be in attendance and a young girl from Moscow too to recite a poem in Russian and English. The local vets who had fought and helped the USSR were also there – but less and less of them as the years go on……they all carried on after to the immortal regiment.
It was a moving and wonderful remembrance and celebration with many Russians and locals in attendance remembering and talking about the loved one’s they had lost and celebrating the victory that bought peace and allowed us all to have the world we live in today. VVP’s speech summed it up at the main celebrations in Red Square. A message from VVP was actually read out at my celebrations too.
God bless and remember all those who fought and died to bring peace to the world in the Great Patriotic War – may their memories live on forever.
I am aware of the events in your country honoring veterans from both sides. It is good, and moving, that such events occur. I think these were veterans of the Murmansk Convoy runs but I’m not positive. I know British veterans of those dangerous runs were in Russia either last year or the year before, actually Krimea and Battery Museum.
One of the most poignant moments when we were waiting for Parade to commence was a group of teenage Russian students came to me. They asked where I served in the Great Patriotic War (at my age everyone looks ancient to teenagers) and I was honest with them as one of our young students and VCO translated for this little group, telling them I was American and my father served in 101 Airborne on the West Front for the duration.
They then moved VCO and our young student to tears by saying it didn’t matter to them, I was there today, and they gave me one of the field letters that they all wrote in the last week to give to veterans. Field Post letters were folded a special way during the war. There were no envelopes or stamps so the letters were written on a simple piece of paper, folded to a triangle in such a way it would not come open, then the name and address of the recipient was written in pencil on the outside. The reason it was folded in a triangle was so the recipient, be they villager, town folks or city dwellers, knew instantly it was good news and from the Front. Square letters meant someone was dead, triangle letters meant their loved ones were still alive. These children even made the paper look old, the edges singed, the writing carefully done in pencil. This letter will be treasured by us for all time. It is little events like this, unnoticed by most, that make what we do worthwhile.
Thank you Auslander for your reply. Yes its the Arctic Convoy vets – though there were also air force pilots too on the Eastern front (which I learnt more about yesterday as they hadn’t been before) – one of those air force vets was present yesterday with his son.
What a lovely insight into the young people and how letters were sent. I agree with them – your father should be honoured too as should all vets who defeated Nazism. Its so important to remember and keep those memories alive.
It is common knowledge on this blog what I am and where I have lived since ’06. My Russian is still small and hideous, fault of that being VCO, my charming bride of over a decade, who speaks quite fluent English. We are rarely out of the digs without the other in tow. If you read any of my books, you will know instantly that I am a native English speaker.
Did our Jeep pull a cannon? No, not this time, but the period ambulance stored at 35th Battery did tow one of the cannons to the parade, after which the arty was attached to it’s usual tractor, another Jeep like the one we are in which is part of the Balaklava contingent. Both cannons at Battery are real, de-milled and modified to fire a substantial blank charge.
So you went to Russia, usually it is the other way around. I’m an auslander too and my English is like your russian. So you are still in love, so nice.
My wife is still been towing me, after so many years, I hope we gonna go to Heaven simultaneously, no suffering behind.
I don’t promise to read your books,all the best to your family.
PS. I stopped the video on each Jeep, the one with the cannon looked like yours.
What are the units at 4.25 with the solid blue telnyashka and at 4.53 with the solid white telnyashka?
Also noted that all the M-72 were post ’56 models, mostly IMZ M-72M, one KMZ M-72N (or early K-750) and a Dnepr ring in. Bit hard to distinguish the KMZ/Dnepr models without seeing the LHS.
Congratulations to you and Red Army Sevastopol for an excellent parade.
4.25 I think is VDV, 4:53 are Flot Marines according to VCO. There’s so many new and modifications to existing uniforms that I can’t keep them straight.
Most, if not all, our sidecars are cobbled together from some period pieces and some later pieces, very few are 100 % original. The Willys we ride in is genuine Lend Lease from October of ’44, the plates are still on the dash, but the motor was replaced years ago with an OHV Lada unit and transmission.
However, a lot of the vehicles have the original motive power and transmissions, and just about all the running gear is original. Since I grew up on a farm a long time ago, I am familiar with how most of these beasts are put together and run and it’s no problem for me to help them with these antiques. However, as a result of my ancient knowledge, I a grin a few years ago. Popped in to Battery one sunny day and a couple of the lads were trying to get the original head off a 1943 truck. Head nuts were jammed solid and they were struggling mightily to get them off without breaking the studs off in the block after soaking them down with WD 40 and kerosene. I gave one of the yard boys a few rubles, told him to go to the little magazine right outside the gate and get me a liter of Pepsi. Not Coca Cola, it must be Pepsi.
Poured some on the nuts, watched it foam, then took the boys outside for a smoke. Went back in and poured some more Pepsi on the nuts, watched it foam and had another smoke. Went back in, poured more on the nuts. No foam and off the nuts came. That’s the sort of knowledge that’s lost as we old guys pass on. Coca Cola won’t work, it has to be Pepsi. Go figure.
Thank you for your congratulations. Red Army does huge work for this event and it’s worth it. VCO and I are but a small cog in this process.
I respectfully disagree with your final paragraph, and also object to your use of the stale US American aphorism “get a life”, which is a way of running away from the essence of the matter under discussion. The Victory Day celebrations and the March of the Immortal Regiment are primarily to commorate and honour those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against fascism. About 27 million Soviet citizens perished in this titanic struggle. So to invite a genocidal fascist like the current president of Israel to participate in the March of the Immortal Regiment in full view of the entire world, which is in essence an anti-fascist march, is a gigantic contradiction which cannot simply be explained away or justified in any fashion whatsoever, and is a tremendous dishonour to those who sacrificed their lives to stop the fascist advance in the Great Patriotic War. It reveals the unprincipled and opportunistic nature of the current leadership in Russia, in stark contrast to that which existed in the USSR, even under Brezhnev or Andropov. In your various posts, which I read with great interest, you show your love for Russia, her people, and her immense and variegated landscape. But what is the essence of any country, if not its principles? And this is the great difference between the Soviet Union and today’s Russia, which espouses Russian nationalism and narrow self-interest versus the proletarian internationalism of the Soviets. The Russian support for Syria against the jihadists unleashed by western imperialism is primaraily dictated by its self interest, which can be compared with the selfless and principled support which Cuba, a little country, provided to the revolutionary anti-imperialist movements in Africa. You are fortunate to be living in Crimea, which is a part of Mother Russia today. But please understand that there are also millions of us, who have never been to Russia, but who also love and admire her, who grew up reading her incomparable literature, who remember her great sacrifices for the sake of the working people of this world, and who were and still are tremendously inspired by the thunderbolt of Great October – the first workers revolution in the world. We will never forget!
@ Russian Bot Boy
-Serbia is controlled by America.
-The USA is actually training your Serbian soldiers. Serbia is another vassal state now.
Russian Bot Boy, you are completely wrong. No, Serbia is NOT controlled by US. Remember that Serbia did NOT join any EU and US sanctions against Russia. The vassal states did (including Montenegro), and besides, Serbia also did NOT declare any Russian diplomat ‘persona non grata’ as vassal states did, after ‘novichok’ incident.
Training with US paras does not necessarily mean that US is training Serbian paras. It could well be the other way round in the sense of exchanging combat experience. Serbian paratroopers have also trained with Russian paras, to mutual benefit. Remember, too, that no other Balkans country has a Russian humanitarian center (located in Niš) as Serbia does. Why? Because these other countries are either NATO or vassal, while Serbia is NOT.
I agree with BF, and also wish to add that the above two statements are insulting for us Serbs who reside in our native country.
Note that I do not dispute your statement that ‘CIA Serbian agents are in every university…etc.,’, but then, they (locals recruited by CIA) are also present in other countries. Serbia is not a bad example ‘per se’.
As for the Victory parade yesterday, it was perfectly executed, as ever, and I for one, besides the most impressive weaponry, liked the fine performance of Russian Army ladies, whom Western press has so malevolently labeled as ‘Putin’s sexist army’ the previous year. What an ugly propaganda, Goebbels-like.
from paul craig roberts: The unambiguous absence of morality in the Israeli government is why Putin’s invitation to the greatest immoralist of them all, Netanyahu, to be an honored guest at the Russian celebration of victory over Germany in WW II has done such damage to Putin’s and Russia’s reputation. Russia fought the genocidal Nazis and now honors with presidential invitations the genocidal Netanyahu whose policy is genocide for the Palestinians
Dear friend Saker, why the hell is Bibi aside Putin all the time?
I could not see any Chinese, Syrian, Iranian leader there, only this killer of palestinians !
Is Putin keening to empire ?
We will see soon. But it will be bad for his image in the muslim world.
His presence is troubling.
No it is not. Putin spends most of the time talking to Alexander Vucic, the Serbian president on his right. After the parade, Boobie tries to walk with Putin, but is put in his place (second rank) when Putin brings in a WWII veteran, after the security team were a little rough on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC-XcmefN4U
The best thing is that Boobie gets to see exactly what will hit him if TSHTF.
Ha ha! “Boobie” sounds good.
I find calling him “Bibi” misguided – I remember the cute actress Bibi Andersson. She’s the real Bibi.
My name for him is “Bibon” (bee-BON). It has gravity, and a Hebrew sonorousness.
(I really hope it doesn’t mean anything cute in Hebrew.)
“Bibi” was East India Company slang for a native mistress
Reading the reports tonight of the Israeli attack on Syrian forces — which some report as having killed Russian troops — make Netanyahu’s presence at the side of Putin during the Victory Day Parade amount to a kind of sacrilege.
In other years, there were other guests, e.g. the Chinese president Xi Jingping was a guest at the parade in Moscow in 2015.
Of course, many of the actions of the Israeli government are despicable. But the idea to invite the Israeli prime minister to this parade is perhaps not so far-fetched. As far as the commemoration of the victory against Nazi Germany is concerned, Russia and Israel have a lot in common. Israel is probably the only country outside the former Soviet Union that officially celebrates the victory against Nazi Germany on 9 May (some countries celebrate it on 8 May, but generally, it has less significance). While monuments about the victory of the Soviet army against Nazi Germany are being removed in Poland, Ukraine and Baltic countries, Israel has erected more such monuments in recent years. Apart from Israel, there is no other country outside the former Soviet Union where there are so many veterans of the war against Nazi Germany. While Western countries are almost completely silent about Nazis in the Baltics and Ukraine because that could hinder the propaganda against Russia, in Israel, not everyone is silent about this.
The world is complex. Certainly, there is a lot to criticize about Israel’s policies – killing unarmed demonstrators in Gaza, instigating US hostility against Iran, constant illegal military aggressions against Syria, decades of occupation and the complete failure to recognize the Nakba ethnic cleansing in 1948. But on the other hand, as far as the commemoration of the war against Nazi Germany is concerned, there are obvious commonalities between Russia and Israel, and the idea to invite the Israeli prime minister for this parade may not have been a bad one. In other years, there will be other guests again. Maybe from Iran and Syria. In the current international climate, representatives of Western countries would not be very likely to accept such an invitation (although, in my view, representatives of the Western WWII allies should, but now hostility against Russia seems to take precedence). In that sense, inviting the prime minister of Israel, a country that is generally aligned with Western powers, may not have been a bad idea – as far as the Western policies towards Russia is concerned, Israel occupies a special position, it does not have anti-Russian sanctions, and its prime minister does not have anything against attending such a parade – that also shows that how false claims about Russia being internationally isolated are, it is only a small group of countries, mostly NATO countries, that take part in the insane anti-Russian propaganda escalation.
Except (apart from de Gaulle) Russia/the USSR had no Western allies in WWII. Nazi Germany was 100% an affiliate and proxy of the evil, fascist, racist US-British Empire. Exactly comparable to AngloZionist boogieman ISIS/al-CIA-da, or the Nazis in the Ukraine, now.
“Apart from Israel, there is no other country outside the former Soviet Union where there are so many veterans of the war against Nazi Germany”.
It is unbelievable how effective the brainwashing education is. Have we forgotten, or did we ever know, what happened in Yugoslavia in the Second World War? Just to remind you, Serbia had two resistance movements (communist Partizans, who were Soviet allies, and the official Government’ Resistance (Chetniks)) fighting the Nazis all the time, and both joined with the Red Army in 1944 to continue liberating the country from the Nazis. Germany kept in addition to the Croatian, Italian and Albanian forces, four full divisions there permanently fighting the resistance fighters. More Serb fighters died in this war (about 500,000) than the English and the French soldiers put together. There was also a serious resistance movement in Greece. Where did this history go? Why is it being forgotten? Does it not feed the official narrative?
Sara, thank you for injecting a dose of truth and sensibility to this ridiculous narrative. What’s truly disturbing Is that these comments are coming from Saker readers (far more informed than most) and not the litany of trolls who are posting all over these threads.
And the reason is abundantly clear. The Serbs and the truth were sacrificed to bring on the post WWII new world order. It was convenient for all the major powers to rewrite the narrative and install their puppet Tito. Brazenly omitting the facts and covering up the greatest genocide committed during the second world war against any country.
The Serbian Kingdom of Yugoslavia was the first and largest resistance to the occupying axis powers in the early years of WWII. Serbia, having lost nearly 30% of its entire population in WWI, were easily manipulated by England and the USSR to break the non-aggression pact with Germany in 1941. Despite the horrific and potentially civilization destroying losses Serbia endured during WWI, the combination of loyalty to its allies and it’s deep mistrust of the Germans, laid the grounds for another mass slaughter of the Serbian people.
How was Serbia rewarded for it’s loyalty and tremendous sacrifice?
1.) The genocide of over 1,000,000 Serbian souls by the Nazis and their croatian, bosnian muslim And albanian
collaborators. In just the fabricated puppet state of croatia, the German high command estimated just the Croats murdered 750,000 Serbs (The croats claimed over a million )
2.) The theft of centuries old Serbian lands and the mass expulsion of millions.
3) The ultimate betrayal by England and the United States. Not only covering up the heinous crimes of the croats and muslims, but aiding in the destruction of the Serbia and the next 70 years of subjugation.
Below, are links to three videos that help illustrate the truth about WWII in the Balkans:
-The real story of the Vatican Ratlines, before the western propaganda in the 1990’s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs6-nDjM7yk
-True American heroes, who fought to their dying day to
Expose the betrayal of the United States government:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0vUQNqB6jw
-The real story about Draza and the Cetniks. Apologies, While the narration is in English, some interviews are in Serbian without English subtitles because it was produced for Serbian audiences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeDm2_o728o
Lisbeth Salander
No, Putin has not joined the empire. He obviously invited Bibi for a specific reason, not just to watch the parade. President Vuchich of Serbia was also there. A clear warning to NATO not to repeat it’s 1999 bombing of Serbia.
I was at my Victory Day celebrations today and the reason BN was there was actually explained::
1) Israel has just agreed to make May 9th a public holiday for the first time and to host proper Victory Day celebrations remembering and commemorating this fight and victory. So BN being at the parade ties into this.
and on another note – It was a working visit. Nothing more nothing less.
Why people want to read more into this is beyond me considering what fighting Nazism was all about – Israel along with Russia and the former Soviet republics have the strongest reasons to remember….and as you say BF the Serbian head of state was also present.
Russia needs to have a dialogue with Israel not only for the 1 million Russians who live there, but to try and talk some sense into BN – though he probably wont listen. I think him being there is a reminder to him of the past and to have a sense of how the Russians feel. He also marched in the immortal regiment holding a photo of a soviet hero – a bit of good PR by Russia.
(The trolls are ruining this thread – which should all be about remembering the past and fight against Nazism and appreciating the 27 million who died on the Soviet side to bring peace for us all).
Agreed, disinformation trolls are trying to confuse,discourage and create doubt among those who favor VVP and Russia.I noted the same behavior in regards to China earlier when they announced some changes in their economic policy, and the trolls were claiming they were making concessions to America, even though the Chinese made it clear they had made these decisions before hand and were following their own plan and timetable. I’m sure Russia is also following their own plan and timetable and the trolls are using certain events/instances of the timetable, that might look bad for Russia at face value, to spread disinformation against Russia.
Hey folks, have some patience please. I only asked a question. A provocative one, but still, just a question. I think this does not make me a troll :), does it?
Anyway, I recognize world is complex and keep communication channels open is the desirable behavior for every leader. I got a bit shocked to see how much close Bibi was to Putin in all moments of the celebration. I think also about the symbolism transmitted by these facts and atitudes. Considering the latest developments in Syria, what is happening to Iran and the behavior and attitudes of Bibi, hosting him in such so high profile way is not going to send a pleasant message across the Muslin world…
Lisbeth Salander
I think you are wrong. Israel has made threats against Iran. Putin invites Bibi, obviously to discuss the current situation in the Middle East, especially Iran and Syria. Some Muslims might be surprised by Bibi’s visit to Russia, but others will see it as Putins attempt to prevent a possible war.
By your name I can conclude that you are probably Swedish. If so, then perhaps you can tell us if Swedes really fear a Russian “invasion”, as I have been reading on the Internet. Why on earth would Putin want to invade Sweden ?
I hope to be wrong indeed. In many other situations, these kind of meetings leads to completely different outcomes.
There is also the symbolism. It is completely different to meet in the context of a previously stated peace summit for example… The presence of Bibi was too high profile and unless I have missed it, there was no previous official communicate about him attending the Victory Day in a such fashion. Maybe the muslin leaders were aware of this going to happen, but and about the muslin people?
If Bibi attended VD for a good reason, then I conclude Kremilin maybe has some communication strategy problem.
His presence is troubling wherever he put his feet.
I am Swedish, true. This does not make me brainwashed by default. I think it is very important do not confuse we, the people, with the “malta infecta” composed by these disgusting “policy makers” all around. Many among us does not buy these claims about Russia invading here or there. It is all bulshit. Mostly of the time, the politicians sustaining these claims are just corrupted people (VIP – vagabonds in power – as Fela Kuti told once ), trying to manipulate public opinion to diverge the attention from them to something else. Catalonia independence is a such case.
I’m trying to wrap my head around NoxiousYahoo’s prominent presence at this event too.
Putin’s a brilliant politician with a profound ethical center — or so it has long seemed. So how to account for such a malignant presence next to him at such an event? Plus, following the appointment of Medvedev and the dropping of Lavrov and Shoigu, this seems even more symbolically portentous. It’s hard to know how to spin this.
Personally, for now, rather than see this as a sign that Putin is finally revealing his true colors, genuflecting to a debased, craven, corrupt empire he craves to join — giving a lie to pretty much everything he’s said and stood for — I’m trying to find a positive spin to this.
The only positive I can come up with is that he’s following the dictum “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”. Perhaps Putin gave a front-row seat to that ziopsychobully to show him all the hardware that could rain down on him if he gets too out of line. Perhaps it was a high-profile way of putting a horse’s head in his bed. I don’t know. None of us citizens do. Yet.
Yes, the signs are troubling, but they’re just signs. Until I see how this pans out I’m giving Putin the benefit of the doubt. Appearances are just that — appearances. The substance behind them has yet to be revealed.
Maybe he’s making a subtle point: you want to mess with this….?
During an interview on national TV, Vucic, the Serbian president said that VVP knows all the details of every single piece of military equipment that was presented at the parade and was indicating which ones were very successfully used in Syria.
Serbia’s transition to Eurasia will be gradual but is in process. Serbia has mass investment from China and hasnt forgot the terror of NATO bombs or Croatian Fascism and Islamic Jihadism. Russia is Serbia only possible ally. Neither The EU nor Serbia has any intention of actually joining EU, they are just making a show.
Particularly fond of S400 though with good sales to Saudis (and probably his chum Bibi next).
Is he on Putin’s right, tall, with glasses? He was commenting to Putin during the flyover and talking to him during the walk after. As for Bibi, I agree with Adrian E. Russia and her armed forces have come a long way under Putin. I am sure Bibi has been watching them perform in Syria very closely. As a national fighting force I’m not sure who could match them today – especially defending their own turf. Compare their performance in Syria (and in securing Crimea) to assess competence in force projection as compared to the USA in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Efficient, effective, while using very limited resources – combat, special ops, community policing and peacekeeping, air and naval operations. Bibi has a front row seat in the theater of operations, so why not at the parade? Dialogue is good, with enemies as well as friends. We are watching the actions play out. Israel has not attacked Russian forces, nor Russia Israeli, but they are not on the same side in the conflict and have (at least some) conflicting interests in the region as a whole. I think it is important to impress upon Mr. BN that Russia is capable, competent, dangerous, but reliable. If they make an agreement they will keep it.
I couldn’t watch this this once I knew Netanyahu would be there
Putin is a disgrace
He’s got rid of Lavrov, Rogozin and Shoigu.
And kept the Mutko who was in charge of the Olympic drugs banning
Putin ran as an independent because he knew medvedev was unpopular
He gets elected and nominates at the new liberal atlanticists
He conned the public. I foresee trouble as the Russian people are not fools.
How quickly you turn our hero into a villain!
Guest 2
I believe Shoigu opened the parade. He was there. As for Netanyahu, there must be a reason for his attendance. I don’t think he came there just for the parade. Diplomacy is a complex art. You forgot to mention that Serbia’s President Alexander Vuchich was also there. This of course is a clear message to NATO not to repeat it’s 1999 bombing of Serbia.
Shoigu was in the meetings with Israelis also.
The only one we know for certain who is out is Rogozin.
I’m more interested by the russian decisions that have an impact than by symbolic gestures. He *may* get ride of the 3 that you mentionned, but it’s your interpretation (“guess”) that he will appoint liberal atlanticists. If Russia decides to pressure Iran & Syria to provoke a schism between both, that would be a bad move, inviting Netanyahu as a guest of honor for this parade is akward and will send a cold shower in the muslim world, but for the moment it is still a symbolic gesture.
Indeed, nauseating to behold Nyahoo!
Good for you, Guest 2, who refrained from viewing.
I had no idea that individual would feature so prominently.
Utter disgust!
Lavrov leaving that position would be a good thing. No man should have to deal with psychpaths day after day, year after year. We all talk about the Killtons, Kerrys, Boltons, Haleys. He actually had to sit down and talk to them and pretend they were human.
No evidence Putin is going libtard (more than usual, that is). He hasn’t done a clearing and probably can’t. It’s a democracy and he’s a president, not a Tsar. If people want this to change, they should stop promoting democracy. Stop saying “democracy now”. We’ve had it. It’s amy goodman’s face and it’s ugly.
Putin invites Bibi Netanyahoo to the Victory Day parade?!
I guess Petro Poroshenko, Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron, and Donald Trump all weren’t available?
Talk about shooting oneself in the foot in terms of public relations.
Anonymous
This is not the first time you have given an anti-Putin comment. I believe he knows what he is doing. As for those characters you have listed, why on earth would he invite them ? To thank them perhaps ? Poroshenko ? May ? Macron ? Trump ? Would they really have come, even if the invitation was made ? Let us wait a week or so, so that we can have a clear picture of what is happening. Diplomacy is a complex art.
Sorry bibi ruined the whole ceremony…..did not could not watch….
https://gulfnews.com/news/mena/syria/israeli-attack-on-damascus-kills-8-iranians-1.2218814
Israeli attack on Damascus kills 8 Iranians
Attack coincides with Netanyahu’s visit to Moscow where he discussed the situation in Syria with Putin
And America’s earlier attack against Syria coincided with Xi’s visit to Washington to meet Trump, did it make a difference? It’d seem propaganda and theatrics are all the USA/Israel is left with.
I think he invited nuttnyahoo to make things clear to him about a atack on Iran. HHe’s still a peacemaker.
http://www.voltairenet.org/article201027.html
I am beginning to wonder how Russian public opinion is responding to the high-level appointments of Kudrin and Medvedev, both of whom are not exactly popular with the ordinary man on the Moscow omnibus. Both of these appointments could signal a shift in Russian policy – a shift in precisely the wrong direction. And now to cap it all the Satanic Netenyahu is feted! I wonder what the likes of Zhirinovsky and Dugin feel about this turn of events. It would now appear that the people who voted for Putin are now more forthright and uncompromising than the current leadership of Russia. There could be big political upheavals and even a political crisis ahead if the Russian leadership fails to lead.
Kudrin? No mention about Kudrin here: https://www.rt.com/politics/426148-duma-supports-putin-medvedev/
What`s your source about appointment of Kudrin? I know that Financial Times run a story about how Putin will appoint Kudrin as a financial minister and trolls went wild after that. But I think that the story was so called fake news. Financial Times was just feeding the trolls.
Francis Lee
I believe that it was “Russia Insider”, a US publication, which began speculating that Kudrin could be appointed. He has NOT been appointed. Look’s like we have a disinformation campaign, directed against Putin, the aim being to create divisions inside Russia. It won’t work. Cheap tricks.
Kudrin is not a neo Keynesian. He is a classical economist. No debt, cash reserves, gold , no bullshit. He is not an atlantist.
Everyone, this post is about the Victory Day celebrations today honouring those who died and survived the Great Patriotic War. Many comments are off-topic. Can those commenters please go to the relevant posts related to the other topics. Any further off-topic comments will go to trash. Mod.
Several thoughts:
1) Russia likes to bring up violations of ‘international law’. From the Golan Heights to Lebanese airspace to Syria – All are major violations of ‘international law’. When Russian officials speak of US violations of ‘international law’ they simply are saying that they do not have the desire to confront the US.
2) Russia, like it or not, has a very good working relationship with Israel. They do not see eye to eye on many issues, but they do have an odd mutual respect. Israel was encouraged to sanction Russia and kick out diplomats. They refused. Russia is concerned about Russia – Not the wellness of humanity. That is very apparent in how Putin has governed.
3) Spare me about the Russian speaking population in Israel. Russia has totally thrown the Russian speaking population of Latvia under the bus. Same with Ukraine. More Russians in the capital of Latvia than Latvians.
4) Countries like Syria, Iran, and Lebanon understand. None will be upset with Bibi at the parade. They know that Russia is not going to sacrifice much for them. What they want is a legitimate peace negotiator. America and Europe has failed them. They are hoping that Russia will be different.
5) Serbia is gone. It is Europe. Russia will do little about it. The more important issue is Armenia. Russia cannot afford to lose Armenia. As Armenians say, “The capital of Armenia is Moscow.”
Russian Bot Boy
No, what you have written cannot be accepted. All of it is highly suspicious, your motives being questionable. As for Serbia, it is NOT gone. I live in Serbia. President Vuchich was invited to Moscow as a clear signal to NATO that Russia will not tolerate another NATO bombing campaign, like the one in 1999.
As for Bibi attending the parade, he was not only invited to watch Russia’s latest high tech, but also to have the Russian stand regarding Iran and Syria explained to him. Iran is going to join the Eurasian Economic Union during the course of this year. Russia will not tolerate any attack against Iran.
Why would NATO bomb Serbia? Serbia is controlled by America. There are CIA officers roaming free all over the country. Serbian CIA agents are in every university, media firm, and political party. That is a fact. Serbia is also not that important to Russia anymore. Again, nothing Russia has done should make us think that they are out to save the world.
Here you go. The USA is actually training your Serbian soldiers. Serbia is another vassal state now. Once the USA latches onto you they will never let go. Just ask Germans and Japanese.
https://www.stripes.com/news/us-and-serbian-paratroopers-build-partnership-in-training-jumps-1.498352
Russia will not strike Israel or the USA unless Russian troops are attacked. They have been very clear about this. If the USA/Israel attacked Iran then Russia might simply covertly help Iran. Crude prices would jump, they would get to rebuild the region, and they would become the sole mediator for the Levant. Again, Russia is not the White Knight that many want it to be.
In saying that, nobody is going to attack Iran. This is just more bluster. Israel could not even defeat a Lebanese militia in 2006. The U.S. has not won a war in like…Ever! Iran is a massive country that is nothing like Iraq. In Lebanon you have Hezbollah. Hezbollah combines the shrewdness of the Lebanese/Phoenicians with the commitment of religious warriors. It would not end well for Israel and they know it. Why so many within the Mossad want nothing to do with Netanyahu’s bravado.
Make no mistake about it. Netanyahu is not well-liked among many of the elite in the military and intelligence agencies of Israel. They would prefer a quieter approach than his Philadelphia antics (he even speaks English with a slight Philly accent). He graduated from Cheltenham High in Philly.
Ukrainians threw themselves under the bus, and are still doing so. Only the so-called ‘rebels’ woke up just in time and in big enough numbers to do something about it.
Not surprised by Bibi (Netanyahu) being at the Victory parade. Just read Korybko’s article. He was right all along (http://theduran.com/does-anyone-still-seriously-think-that-russia-and-israel-arent-allies/)
People want to conceive Putin as a superman who is saving the world, but this is not Hollywood and Putin ain’t Rambo. He is just doing what the real-politik requires him to do. The fact is that Russia is an ally to Israel and all delusions of the Euroasian military alliance (Russia – Turkey -Iran – Syria – Hizballah) is shattered. Russia wants to be allies with US, Israel and the west in general. Russia doesn’t want trouble and sanctions. Putin demonstrated to the west that he won’t allow crazy jihadist to run free in Russia by sending forces to Syria. Putin believes that the western elites will leave Russia alone from this point on. He seems to be succeeded in this goal, at least for now. I really hope the best for Russia, but I am not sure if Russia will survive in current form and shape in the future. Russia is already becoming somewhat obsolete even in her immediate neighborhood. Armenian color revolution showed the limits of Russian power projection. Currently it seems that Kremlin is taken over by western elitist cabal (Rockefeller cabal not the Rothschild neocons). Judging by their actions, Rothschild neocons wants Russia to be destroyed, but seems to me that Putin is aligning with Rockefeller elitists thinking that this would save Russia from being dismantled. I hope he is right for the long run. Thus this may explain the shuffle at Kremlin and removal of almost all the traditionalists (Euroasianists) for his next six years term. This also may explain why we see Netanyahu as a Guest of Honor side by side with Putin.
yeah yeah…Andrew Korybko continuous blabbering about how he is always right and then everyone else is wrong is never ending…why can’t he just put forward his opinion without mentioning how smart he is in understanding the complex geopolitics that only he can fathom.
Nothing wrong with Netanyahu (Mod. Note: insulting language deleted) meeting with Putin but victory day parade shoulder to shoulder send quite strong visuals about your general approach to the problem.
Makes me question now why even Russia bothers about Syria?
You are totally wrong in everything you write. It´s Eurasia that will take Israel, not opposite. Bibi was in Moscow in hope to get guidance from his his future ruler. And your theories about Rothchilds and Rockefellers are so boring. BTW, where´s Kudrin? Seems to me that Financial Times is not a very reliable source.
Your post is rather personal – please refrain or further comments will go to trash. Mod.
It is disgusting to see murderer Bibbi besides Putin but I understand that Putin is a very pragmatic leader so he does this with an aim. Putins mainly concern is Russia in the first place.
Having the Israeli prime minister at the Victory Day parade means he was working other dossiers than the war in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has just won for the first time, an absolute majority.
It is extremely rare for a country to start a major war while its head of state is in a foreign country, particularly one such as the Russian Federation.
It did not curtail several Iranians being killed by an IAF attack in Syria though.
My favorite scene was when a WW2 veteran, with many medals across his chest, was pushed aside by the security detail. Putin noticed, approached him, shakes his hand, then asks him to accompany him to the Alexandria Garden monument for the unknown soldier.
https://www.rt.com/news/426242-putin-welcomes-veteran-security/
A German passport-holder can appreciate the sacrifices made.
I wore my St. George’s ribbon today. I salute the immortal regiment, their families and friends.
I also watched the march of the Immortal Regiment during breakfast today. Such a touching moment, to see so many people honor the past protectors of their land with respect and calm. The music played during the event was spot on. They say it reached 1 million participants this year. Congratulations to them and respect to their loved ones honored on this day, from my little corner of the world.
bibi wore the St George’s ribbon there, a nice one into the eye of fellow jew poroshitko, and good for upsetting all the morons in ukraine.
By the way, good Jew Steve Pieczenik is critical of bibi.
Happy Victory Day to all Russians, etc.
I like the answer of Russian Anonymous at min. 12:51.
I don’t know if Netanyahu asked Putin to come to Moscow or has he been invited. But there is some symbolism here, not only PR: It is Russia Victory Day.
It could be another one in the future, this could be the message.
Putin and Netanyahu are the Captains of the future belligerents. They decide if it is going to be a war or not ( more or less ) And no matter if the Russian government has been infiltrated by some neo-liberals or not, it is going to be a war, a huge one.Only the timings are unknown, but not the signs.
World Cup again.
Putin and Netanyahu play in the first League. Trump alone in the second League.May, Micron, Merkel in the third League. The other leaders are warming up on the benches or running along the field, almost never playing. .
Bibi is the waterboy of the opposition to Russia, not any Captain.
The US Hegemon will spit out Bibi when they need to.
Bibi cries in his towel when he goes to Moscow, this being his 8th trip in less than 2 years.
Russia wants Israel to calm down with the Palestinians, to be patient with Iranian “threats” and to stop supporting terrorists in Syria. It likewise wants Iran to stop the threats against Israel and to cease using Syria as a base against Israel.
Russia would like to be doing business with everyone. It’s intention is Trade, not war in the MENA. Russia would like to be more like China, concerned with economic relations rather than military operations. However, the turmoil of the ME keeps stirring new challenges.
It now comes down to this: Russia will make a defense shield that is like a NO FLY ZONE over Lebanon and Syria if Israel and the Arabs keep up their war-making and use of proxies.
Russia offers peace as price for its cooperation. Israel will have to choose peace not war if it wants to get Russian assistance to mitigate “threats”.
There also is an adjustment to thinking that Israel and Iran both must make. Russia is the regional decider from now on. Neither of the other two have accepted that limitation on their own dreams of regional hegemony. But it is a fact of life. Work with Russia or you have no friend and endless turmoil is all you will reap.
Turkey, Iran and Israel all have to understand and accept that reality.
@Larchmonter445
I agree with you on what Russia wants.
” Bibi is the waterboy of the opposition to Russia, not any Captain.
The US Hegemon will spit out Bibi when they need to.”
I was talking about western PR characters not about the real power. The Deep State, wherever it may be ( and Not the US Hegemon ) prefers the Prime Minister of Israel over the President of US cos it sends a signal about them. That’s why the different Leagues.
In Russia the real power and the President’s power almost overlap.
I understand the need for diplomacy in this chaotic world, but still, there are limits to the kind of stunt a guest should be allowed to pull in your house…
Since Israel also turned May 9 into a national holiday this year (to my understanding), Netanyahu was invited to attend the ceremony in Moscow. He has “repaid” this diplomatic gesture of respect by comparing Iran, not only a russian ally, but also a country that did not attack another since the 18th century, to Nazi Germany, the expansionist regime that invaded most of Europe and caused the death of some 26 million soviet (mainly russian) citizens, by the time it was finally defeated, 73 years ago. He did that to Putin’s face, on this day of all days. This is a clear diplomatic insult and this rude foreign leader should be asked to leave Russia at once.
Netanyahu may be the true leader of the Anglozionist empire right now, making him the man to negociate with, but that should not give him the right to insult the intelligence of the russian people in Russia, on Victory Day.
Enough with the bibi this and bibi that. He was there for a meeting with the Russian President. Any foreign head of state that happen to be there at the time would have been invited just the same. This meeting was initiated by bibi. All these comments President Putin cozying up to the west, or it being a disgrace, or some other dumb comment is just showing ignorance.
Didn’t anyone notice the expression on President Putin’s and bibi’s faces when they entered? It clearly shows they are not on a real friendly footing at the moment.
Overall I thought it was a good event. Though I was a bit disappointed at the lack of good camera shots of the hardware. For some reason RT seemed to not want to show all the new goodies off.
I think Gabriel is right, Netanyahu the true leader of the US, look at Haley, Pompeo, Bolton. They are all fanatically pro-Israel. Putin has to negotiate with the real leader of the US, even if Netanyahu is rude and disgusting. Trump is an Israel firster who dotes on his Chabad Lubavtch daughter.
Yes, N-yahoo’s presence was tough for the eyes – but have any of you heard the saying: keep your friends close, and enemies closer? Wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the logic…
It is a pointer to the sad and decadent times we live in today to watch the March of the Immortal Regiment being desecrated by the presence of the president of a state that has been conducting a continuous genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine over the past several decades. How different is the pragmatic, self-centered, nationalistic leadership of the Russia of today compared to the internationalist ideals espoused and the concrete actions undertaken against injustice, oppression, and western imperialism by the erstwhile USSR! As long as the USSR existed, the developing world had a protector and a trustworthy and reliable friend. With its demise, the third world lost its protective shield and became, once again, the prey of imperialism. Alas, how different the speeches of V. I. Lenin from that of V. V. Putin! Like comparing the moon and six pence!
I wish there were some way of marking posts like yours with a star or something. Kudos from South America.
A salute to you, comrade! Yes, my friend, the collapse of the USSR has been a mortal blow to freedom all over the world.
We who held dear ideals of human freedom, human equality, international peace, and socialism failed somehow in our task. Yes, we have to accept that the USSR developed serious warts which turned cancerous and destroyed everything, including everything that was good, noble, and pure, alas.
Will the coming generations do better? Will they ever dream big dreams again? Or will they busy themselves counting money and chattering on social media? I don’t know. Let us pray, comrade. I think our one big mistake was to force out God in the name of false scientific rationalism.
This year is a circus, not a victory parade. And to make matters worse, Israel bombs Syria on this day.
I think few of you know how much planning and work goes in to Victory Day celebrations. In this little village the work and planning starts in earnest two months before the event and this includes Red Army Sevastopol, of which VCO and I are members. For us, this work included Lord knows how many hours of attention to the antique vehicles we use for this parade and other events all spring, summer and fall, almost all the vehicles being real, IOW built before the end of the war, and owned by the Red Army members. Do you have any idea how much work is involved getting 75 year old military vehicles operating well enough to do a road march from Balaklava and/or 35th Battery to Ushakova Square to form up for the parade?
Most of our uniforms are also real, NOS items still floating around, and those that aren’t are faithful reproductions as is the various leather harness elements worn by Red Army. The weapons are also real, de-milled for parade use. VCO spent one week getting our two uniforms fluffed and buffed, ready for the parade. All of this work is for one event on 09 May. Now, here’s our drill, one little family, husband and wife participating in this joyous, and sad, parade.
VCO and I were up at 03:00 on 09 May. Nanny for the children arrived shortly after 04:30, we left for Battery at 05:30 in a pouring rain. East and then south to Inkerman, from Inkerman to Yalta Ring, from the ring west to Battery. From Yalta Ring, the rain stopped and was replaced with pea soup fog in which one could not see more than 10 meters until we passed Fifth Kilometer Ring. Fog cleared completely at Fiolent Ring and the rain returned, actually a steady drizzle, the rest of the way to Battery, to which we arrived at roughly 06:20.
At 06:45 we formed up at Battery, the three remaining vehicles there, and headed east to City Center. The VDV unit next to Battery was a beehive of activity as heavy equipment was forming up on the road for their march to Ushakova Square. VAI, Military Police, waved us through the throng. Another 10 or so vehicles joined us at Fiolent Ring and followed us to Ushakov.
We arrived at Ushakova Square shortly after 07:00 and took position lining one side of Ulitsya Lenina on the north side of the square. The drizzle had stopped at Fiolent Ring and for the remainder of the time before the start of the parade there was enough blue in the sky for a Dutchman’s breeches.
There we sat as tens of thousands of citizens and guests poured south on Lenina, many of them stopping to look at and admire our vehicles….and us.
At 08:30 the heavy equipment arrived and took their positions north of us on Lenina, we then formed our vehicles in three lines behind them. When the Parade starts we fold out in to two lines, M 72 side cars in the van, our Jeep the first of the vehicles.
At 10:00 sharp, still with no rain, the Victory Day Parade commenced in front of the reviewing stands in Naxhimov Square. At 10:25 the heavy equipment began to move and we followed them and shook out in to Parade Formation. Half way down Lenina we are always called to halt at Ulitsya Marata, this to give time for the marching units including many hundreds of soldiers, cadets and youngsters, and the heavy equipment to proceed down Lenina past the reviewing stands. Reviewing stands are filled with veterans of the war and their spouses and with Stab of Fleet and Russian Army.
We sat as they all marched past Naxhimov Square and just before we were called to move, the rain started, not a deluge but a steady rain. VCO was in the rear of our Jeep with the lovely little daughter of our Kapitan driver. VCO is the semi official photographer for these missions but she had to put the Kodak in her ruck and wrap little Anastasiya in a rain cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=2DLrxld_DbM
Notice the sweet little elderly lady in the lead M 72 of Red Army at roughly 13:15. She was Partizan in Sevastopol during the war and to this day she’s as sharp as a tack. This lady is the basis for one the characters in my writings. Please also notice the numbers of children and young adults in Red Army and the cadet organizations marching in the parade. As we pass the reviewing stand we all salute the veterans and Stab as we pass, and we salute the veterans scattered through the crowds lining the march route.
Parade route is down Lenina from Ushakov Square, Pass in Review at Naxhimov Square, immediate left on Ulitsya Naxhimov, onward to Velka Morska and turn south. Parade ends at that intersection although goodly numbers of citizens are on Velka Morska to cheer is on.
https://militarymaps.info
The entire parade route was lined with untold thousands of citizens, standing in the rain and cheering the soldiers, sailors, Marines and VDV marching past, the heavy equipment and band, and us. We were showered with flowers, cheers and well wishes.
Behind us, marching in the rain, was the Immortal Regiment. Not a soul in the Immortal Regiment left the march before the parade termination spot. Not a soul in the entire route we followed had anything but smiles and cheers for the parade.
We went back to Battery and stood to for another three hours as citizens arrived at 35th Battery Museum in droves after the parade, talking to us and admiring the vehicles. We returned home in late afternoon, still damp from the rains, exhausted but happy.
Now. For those of you who are obsessed with who President Putin did or did not invite to the Moskau Parade, get a life. This parade, and the similar ones all over Russia and former SSSR, are to honor the veterans and, sadly, those who fell in this horrid war 75 years ago. We go to all this work to honor those who fought, and many millions gave their life and/or health, so we can be free. Every year the cadre of veterans in the reviewing stands at Naxhimov Square are fewer. When they are all gone, we will still have this parade and still honor them, this is our duty to those who fought for us. What do you, the nay sayers and predictors of the fall of Russia, do in your country for this day? Do you even know the date of this day without reading this blog? Do you have any sense of honor and duty for those who fought for us…and you? I didn’t think so.
Auslander
Thank you Auslander.
It is good to come on the site today and see your post. I made a comment yesterday (@12.51pm EST/EDT above) as I also attended a smaller but important victory day celebration where the Russian Embassy had actually flown in some vets from Russia to be in attendance and a young girl from Moscow too to recite a poem in Russian and English. The local vets who had fought and helped the USSR were also there – but less and less of them as the years go on……they all carried on after to the immortal regiment.
It was a moving and wonderful remembrance and celebration with many Russians and locals in attendance remembering and talking about the loved one’s they had lost and celebrating the victory that bought peace and allowed us all to have the world we live in today. VVP’s speech summed it up at the main celebrations in Red Square. A message from VVP was actually read out at my celebrations too.
God bless and remember all those who fought and died to bring peace to the world in the Great Patriotic War – may their memories live on forever.
Anonymous 04:57
I am aware of the events in your country honoring veterans from both sides. It is good, and moving, that such events occur. I think these were veterans of the Murmansk Convoy runs but I’m not positive. I know British veterans of those dangerous runs were in Russia either last year or the year before, actually Krimea and Battery Museum.
One of the most poignant moments when we were waiting for Parade to commence was a group of teenage Russian students came to me. They asked where I served in the Great Patriotic War (at my age everyone looks ancient to teenagers) and I was honest with them as one of our young students and VCO translated for this little group, telling them I was American and my father served in 101 Airborne on the West Front for the duration.
They then moved VCO and our young student to tears by saying it didn’t matter to them, I was there today, and they gave me one of the field letters that they all wrote in the last week to give to veterans. Field Post letters were folded a special way during the war. There were no envelopes or stamps so the letters were written on a simple piece of paper, folded to a triangle in such a way it would not come open, then the name and address of the recipient was written in pencil on the outside. The reason it was folded in a triangle was so the recipient, be they villager, town folks or city dwellers, knew instantly it was good news and from the Front. Square letters meant someone was dead, triangle letters meant their loved ones were still alive. These children even made the paper look old, the edges singed, the writing carefully done in pencil. This letter will be treasured by us for all time. It is little events like this, unnoticed by most, that make what we do worthwhile.
Auslander
Thank you Auslander for your reply. Yes its the Arctic Convoy vets – though there were also air force pilots too on the Eastern front (which I learnt more about yesterday as they hadn’t been before) – one of those air force vets was present yesterday with his son.
What a lovely insight into the young people and how letters were sent. I agree with them – your father should be honoured too as should all vets who defeated Nazism. Its so important to remember and keep those memories alive.
All the best to you and yes its all worthwhile.
@ Auslander
Are you An American in… Sevastopol !? Did your Jeep track a cannon ? No need to answer if it is too private.
Sherlock
It is common knowledge on this blog what I am and where I have lived since ’06. My Russian is still small and hideous, fault of that being VCO, my charming bride of over a decade, who speaks quite fluent English. We are rarely out of the digs without the other in tow. If you read any of my books, you will know instantly that I am a native English speaker.
Did our Jeep pull a cannon? No, not this time, but the period ambulance stored at 35th Battery did tow one of the cannons to the parade, after which the arty was attached to it’s usual tractor, another Jeep like the one we are in which is part of the Balaklava contingent. Both cannons at Battery are real, de-milled and modified to fire a substantial blank charge.
Auslander
Thanks Auslander !
So you went to Russia, usually it is the other way around. I’m an auslander too and my English is like your russian. So you are still in love, so nice.
My wife is still been towing me, after so many years, I hope we gonna go to Heaven simultaneously, no suffering behind.
I don’t promise to read your books,all the best to your family.
PS. I stopped the video on each Jeep, the one with the cannon looked like yours.
Sherlock
“PS. I stopped the video on each Jeep, the one with the cannon looked like yours.”
It ain’t, guaranty you. That leaves you with the rest of the herd of vehicles to examine.
Auslander
Auslander
What are the units at 4.25 with the solid blue telnyashka and at 4.53 with the solid white telnyashka?
Also noted that all the M-72 were post ’56 models, mostly IMZ M-72M, one KMZ M-72N (or early K-750) and a Dnepr ring in. Bit hard to distinguish the KMZ/Dnepr models without seeing the LHS.
Congratulations to you and Red Army Sevastopol for an excellent parade.
Стивен
4.25 I think is VDV, 4:53 are Flot Marines according to VCO. There’s so many new and modifications to existing uniforms that I can’t keep them straight.
Most, if not all, our sidecars are cobbled together from some period pieces and some later pieces, very few are 100 % original. The Willys we ride in is genuine Lend Lease from October of ’44, the plates are still on the dash, but the motor was replaced years ago with an OHV Lada unit and transmission.
However, a lot of the vehicles have the original motive power and transmissions, and just about all the running gear is original. Since I grew up on a farm a long time ago, I am familiar with how most of these beasts are put together and run and it’s no problem for me to help them with these antiques. However, as a result of my ancient knowledge, I a grin a few years ago. Popped in to Battery one sunny day and a couple of the lads were trying to get the original head off a 1943 truck. Head nuts were jammed solid and they were struggling mightily to get them off without breaking the studs off in the block after soaking them down with WD 40 and kerosene. I gave one of the yard boys a few rubles, told him to go to the little magazine right outside the gate and get me a liter of Pepsi. Not Coca Cola, it must be Pepsi.
Poured some on the nuts, watched it foam, then took the boys outside for a smoke. Went back in and poured some more Pepsi on the nuts, watched it foam and had another smoke. Went back in, poured more on the nuts. No foam and off the nuts came. That’s the sort of knowledge that’s lost as we old guys pass on. Coca Cola won’t work, it has to be Pepsi. Go figure.
Thank you for your congratulations. Red Army does huge work for this event and it’s worth it. VCO and I are but a small cog in this process.
Auslander
I respectfully disagree with your final paragraph, and also object to your use of the stale US American aphorism “get a life”, which is a way of running away from the essence of the matter under discussion. The Victory Day celebrations and the March of the Immortal Regiment are primarily to commorate and honour those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against fascism. About 27 million Soviet citizens perished in this titanic struggle. So to invite a genocidal fascist like the current president of Israel to participate in the March of the Immortal Regiment in full view of the entire world, which is in essence an anti-fascist march, is a gigantic contradiction which cannot simply be explained away or justified in any fashion whatsoever, and is a tremendous dishonour to those who sacrificed their lives to stop the fascist advance in the Great Patriotic War. It reveals the unprincipled and opportunistic nature of the current leadership in Russia, in stark contrast to that which existed in the USSR, even under Brezhnev or Andropov. In your various posts, which I read with great interest, you show your love for Russia, her people, and her immense and variegated landscape. But what is the essence of any country, if not its principles? And this is the great difference between the Soviet Union and today’s Russia, which espouses Russian nationalism and narrow self-interest versus the proletarian internationalism of the Soviets. The Russian support for Syria against the jihadists unleashed by western imperialism is primaraily dictated by its self interest, which can be compared with the selfless and principled support which Cuba, a little country, provided to the revolutionary anti-imperialist movements in Africa. You are fortunate to be living in Crimea, which is a part of Mother Russia today. But please understand that there are also millions of us, who have never been to Russia, but who also love and admire her, who grew up reading her incomparable literature, who remember her great sacrifices for the sake of the working people of this world, and who were and still are tremendously inspired by the thunderbolt of Great October – the first workers revolution in the world. We will never forget!
@ Russian Bot Boy
-Serbia is controlled by America.
-The USA is actually training your Serbian soldiers. Serbia is another vassal state now.
Russian Bot Boy, you are completely wrong. No, Serbia is NOT controlled by US. Remember that Serbia did NOT join any EU and US sanctions against Russia. The vassal states did (including Montenegro), and besides, Serbia also did NOT declare any Russian diplomat ‘persona non grata’ as vassal states did, after ‘novichok’ incident.
Training with US paras does not necessarily mean that US is training Serbian paras. It could well be the other way round in the sense of exchanging combat experience. Serbian paratroopers have also trained with Russian paras, to mutual benefit. Remember, too, that no other Balkans country has a Russian humanitarian center (located in Niš) as Serbia does. Why? Because these other countries are either NATO or vassal, while Serbia is NOT.
I agree with BF, and also wish to add that the above two statements are insulting for us Serbs who reside in our native country.
Note that I do not dispute your statement that ‘CIA Serbian agents are in every university…etc.,’, but then, they (locals recruited by CIA) are also present in other countries. Serbia is not a bad example ‘per se’.
As for the Victory parade yesterday, it was perfectly executed, as ever, and I for one, besides the most impressive weaponry, liked the fine performance of Russian Army ladies, whom Western press has so malevolently labeled as ‘Putin’s sexist army’ the previous year. What an ugly propaganda, Goebbels-like.
I too liked the Russian Army ladies. Good note.
from paul craig roberts: The unambiguous absence of morality in the Israeli government is why Putin’s invitation to the greatest immoralist of them all, Netanyahu, to be an honored guest at the Russian celebration of victory over Germany in WW II has done such damage to Putin’s and Russia’s reputation. Russia fought the genocidal Nazis and now honors with presidential invitations the genocidal Netanyahu whose policy is genocide for the Palestinians