Why May 9 will be a date to watch in Ukraine

· BY ADAM TAYLOR

·

· May 7 at 1:20 pm

Russian servicemen march in formation as they take part in a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 7. Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany on May 9. (Tatyana Makeyeva/Reuters)

It'd be tough to overstate how much World War II still resonates in Russia. Take its naming: It's no "Second World War" in Russia, it's The Great Patriotic War. Then consider the death toll: 27 million Soviet citizens dead, according to one estimate. Horrifying events that took place on Russian soil, such as the Siege of Leningrad and the Battle of Stalingrad, are not forgotten.

This week, that's especially important. Remember that in Russia, May 9 is Victory Day: the anniversary of the day that the Soviet Union announced that Nazi Germany had surrendered. And Victory Day isn't just a big day for Russia. It's a big day for all former members of the Soviet Union who fought together in the war. This year, it may be an exceptionally complicated day for one country in particular: Ukraine.

In the past, Ukraine and Russia have celebrated Victory Day together on May 9 – for example, on May 9, 2010, Russian and Ukrainian sailors in Sevastopol marched in a joint parade to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the day on the orders of then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

But there's also been controversy. To some Ukrainians, World War II was a fight against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Ukrainian nationalists fought against the Soviet army at some points during World War II — some, such as nationalist idol Stepan Bandera, sided with Nazi Germany for part of it. Even before the Euromaidan protests spun Ukraine into crisis, there was contention over the history: In 2011, Yanukovych revoked a "Hero of Ukraine" award that had been given to Bandera by his predecessor and criticized the Western city of Lviv for failing to celebrate Victory Day appropriately.

Things are even more fraught now, of course, with Russia's military build-up on the borders an unpleasant reminder of Soviet domination, and Ukrainian nationalist groups such as Pravy Sektor accused of being "fascists." On the 69th anniversary of the end of World War II, some people seem to believe history is repeating itself.

So, May 9 will be an important date to watch. Back in March, there were rumors in Russia that Ukraine may ditch their celebrations on that day, and choose to go with May 8, the exact date of Germany's surrender celebrated in many other countries as Victory in Europe Day (the different date is due to time zone differences). While that doesn't appear to be true, it does seem that Kiev has cancelled plans for a traditional military parade, and will instead hold a prayer service for the victims of World War II on May 9. Members of the Ukrainian nationalist party Svoboda are also seeking to have a prominent symbol of Russian military valor, the St. George Ribbon, prohibited, in spite of (or more likely, because of) the fact that many pro-Russian separatists in the east are wearing it. AFP reports that the Red Poppy, used to remember war dead in other countries, will be used on Victory Day instead.

It's difficult timing. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine to postpone their proposed referendums on independence planned for May 11, a move that appears to show a new Russian desire for a de-escalation of the conflict. The announcement left many pro-Russian separatists confused. It'll certainly be interesting to see how they react May 9.

Correction: This story originally said that 27 million Russians died. That figure actually includes other Soviet citizens too, and the post has been edited to reflect that.

Adam Taylor writes about foreign affairs for the Washington Post. Originally from London, he studied at the University of Manchester and Columbia University. You can follow him on Twitter here.

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Hannah12345

9:22 AM GMT+0400

Many Ukrainians will celebrate successful murder of Jews during Great Patriotic War. In infamous "Babiy Yar" in Kiev, out of 1,500 exterminators, 1,200 were Ukrainians. also, they were notoriously known for working as guards in large quantities in Stalin's camps. If they hated soviets, why did they work in Stalin's camps? Kiev, was called "police city" during USSR times.

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jbdulaney

4:50 AM GMT+0400

Shouldn't May 8th be the day to watch, since that's the day the Ukrainians might break rank from Russia and celebrate Victory Day?

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Jackie Bugdale

5/8/2014 9:37 PM GMT+0400

Isn't Putin playing both sides against each other? He's the person that should be burned.

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Dan 99999

5/8/2014 7:46 PM GMT+0400

Putin fools no one. He's making his bed and he will lie in it.

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Oleg Gavrilenko

5/8/2014 4:56 PM GMT+0400

Hello!!! I am originally from Odessa!!! I can't understand You - why are you so angry (not all of course), recently in Odessa, a tragedy happened brutal massacre of the people. Right sector, the fans, the national guard under - BRUTALLY killed more than 100 people, and that would cover their tracks were doused with gasoline and set fire to people, and then the whole building, raped women, strangled pregnant-her screams heard the whole area. And after that "the authorities of Ukraine approve of it!!!!!!!! What would You do???? Would rise to the protection of relatives and neighbors???? Here We stand - we are told - You terrorists and send troops to kill us next!! As YOU all the Way to blame Putin thief, Putin, Putin, Putin wants to capture the moon - let's give money and weapons "in the Ukrainian authorities" to fight separatists and terrorists - that is with us normal people!!! shame on You??? Help us to stop FASCISM!!! Do not help our "authorities" - slyste us or us here on the quiet all burn and rastrelyaut of You have sent weapons!!!!

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JT10

5/8/2014 7:38 PM GMT+0400

I am also originally from Odessa, what you say is non-sense. It is true that over 40 people died. But to blame it all on the pro-Ukrainians is unfair. It was separatists who drew the first blood when they ambushed and fired at point blank at the soccer fans, killing at least one and wounding many. Their plan was obvious - hit their opponents hard, disperse them, and at the same time capture the county administration building, a la Slavyansk and other eastern towns, under the protection of the corrupt cops. Well, it back-fired, when the enraged crowd pushed them back, turning the tables. All this is well documented, there is plenty of video and photo evidence. The pro-Europeans then marched to the Kulikovo Pole, where they obliterated the now abandoned separatist camp, and started to storm the county administration building. They were met with gun fire and Molotov cocktails. Also, plenty of evidence. Both sides were using firearms and Molotovs, with the pro-Europe people clearly starting the fire on the first floor. However, fire on the upper floors clearly started inside the building. I know that building well, walked past it to school quite often. It is not possible to throw a bottle that high without some sort of a catapult, of which there were none present. Plus, again, there is plenty of photographic evidence of the fires starting behind closed, intact windows. The back entrance was locked from the inside and remained locked, the fire-fighters had to break the door to get in. The Maidan's self-defense, so loathed by people like you, pulled a lot of people out of the burning building, and then protected them from the crowd's justice until they were transferred to the cops and medical workers.

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JT10

5/8/2014 7:47 PM GMT+0400

About the pregnant woman - this was during a holiday, how did she end up there? People who are being choked struggle wildly, yet the office is relatively in order. However, it is really hard for someone being chocked to scream so loud that it over-powered the noise of the battle and fire. In addition, something like that would shock our city, and her funeral would absolutely be shown on TV, written about, and used as a symbol by the separatists. Nothing of the sort happened. Thus, most likely, a provocation. Also, none of the independent bloggers or news agencies reported any rapes, etc. Stop spreading lies.

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Jackie Bugdale

5/8/2014 9:38 PM GMT+0400

could be a dead corpse pulled out of the morgue to do the photo op. yes indeed, who is she, what is her name? where is her family screaming and crying for her?

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ragozzi

5/8/2014 9:40 AM GMT+0400

I don't think anyone who isn't Russian can truly understand the meaning of May 9 to the Russians. But thank you, for an honest article.

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Lev Havryliv

5/8/2014 4:31 AM GMT+0400

Russia is the new international bully. Putin is flooding southeastern Ukraine with Russian special forces to foment sepeartism and ethnic discord.

This is an invasion by stealth just like occurred in Crimea before full invasion and occupation.

The Putin regime is also waging a mendacious propaganda war against the Ukrainian government. The odious Putin and Lavrov cannot be trusted with their empty words claiming they wish to de-escalate the crisis they engineered

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ragozzi

5/8/2014 9:37 AM GMT+0400

I think you are confusing Russia with USA.

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criticalobserver

5/8/2014 2:55 AM GMT+0400

In the article it says that "some, such as nationalist idol Stepan Bandera, sided with Nazi Germany". While partially true, this attitude must be understood within the context of political events prior and during WWII. Same thing was happenbing in Belarus with which I am more familiar. In Belarus, during the Nazi occupation by Hitler's army, for the first time since the Czarist occupation in 1795, Belarusian schools were permitted to open, Belarusian theater thrived, Belarusian Autocephalic Orthodox Church (independent of Moscow) was re-established and Belarusian civil organizations were tolerated by the Nazis. This was a vast difference and improvement from the Czatist and Stalinist times when all of the above was forbidden. So don't be surprised that people liked Hitler better than Stalin. Of course, at that early time, Hitler was not yet fully understood.

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Jabba Harpoon 2.0

5/8/2014 1:47 AM GMT+0400

Q - What do you get when you cross a rabid tea bagger with a Putin-backed Pro Russia Separatist?

A - Inbreeding!

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vendorune

5/8/2014 12:39 AM GMT+0400

What about the Polish dead killed on Bandera orders? Same Lviv used to have largely Polish and Jewish population. Well, we know what happened to the Jews - Nazis killed them. And the Poles? These people are in fact living on land conquered by USSR and having exterminated most local population they think they need to "spread out"! Whatever Adam! You should at least mention the Polish dead.

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AnnsThought

5/8/2014 12:29 AM GMT+0400

Putin certainly didn't do all of this to protect the civil rights of Russian speaking citizens in Ukraine. I think he was seriously considering another land grab all the way to Moldova, but reconsidered when he realized the citizens of Odessa were taking up arms and preparing to fight.

The new Ukrainian president will have to promote reconciliation, provide amnesty for the people in eastern Ukraine and work towards healing this nation. I wish them well. There was no need for any of this to happen.

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W8post

5/8/2014 2:32 AM GMT+0400

TRANSNISTRIA

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JDavis

5/8/2014 2:21 PM GMT+0400

"There was no need for any of this to happen."

After we dumped $5 billion in the country to spark this coup, there was no way it wouldn't happen.

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JiveTurkey

5/7/2014 11:53 PM GMT+0400

The real problem is Obamacare. The Russians fear it and the Ukrainians welcome it. That is what this conflict is about. Obamacare would have a terrible effect on Russian society and the Russians know it. They would rather die than sign up.

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Jabba Harpoon 2.0

5/8/2014 1:46 AM GMT+0400

And a big Benghazi to you too.

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W8post

5/8/2014 2:31 AM GMT+0400

You better find out what's going on/broiling/slow cooking in Russia, Right Now. There are many protests in the make. You'll find out in the proper time!

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BoogieXD

5/7/2014 10:56 PM GMT+0400

Ukrainians are accused of being fascists, but has anyone read the definition of "Fascism" and compare how Ukraine and Russia are currently governed?

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protectamerica

5/8/2014 5:20 AM GMT+0400

Agreed, I wish people would realize that "fascist," "communist," etc. actually have distinct definitions and are not generic synonyms for "bad."

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MeriJ

5/7/2014 10:42 PM GMT+0400

New Wash Post article for a few of you to spam:

"Why May 9 will be a date to watch in Ukraine"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/...

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MeriJ

5/7/2014 10:43 PM GMT+0400

Ha. My comment posted there as well. So when you show up, they will have been forewarned!

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jakro

5/7/2014 10:48 PM GMT+0400 [Edited]

Are you having fun conversing with yourself?

Schizophrenic AND paranoid.

What a lovely combination.

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MeriJ

5/7/2014 10:55 PM GMT+0400

I am not posting on the same article as you. But because I posted a link to this new article, my comment went there also.

I am over here with the cool kids. All my imaginary friends are here.

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MeriJ

5/7/2014 10:59 PM GMT+0400

TTTTT showed up right after my post there. Apparently I'm psychic.

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CharlieSeattle

5/7/2014 10:25 PM GMT+0400

May 9, Russia will invade.

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W8post

5/8/2014 2:28 AM GMT+0400

Russia will wait and see until what will happen the 25th.
the 26th. they (Russia & Puto) will say that the outcome is not convenient for them, so they will 'help' the Ukrainians to make it 'convenient'.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 1301