Victory Day, marking the day that Nazi Germany finally surrendered in 1945.

https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/09/watch-live-russia-marks-world-war-two-victory-day-with-huge-parade-in-red-square

Russia marks World War Two victory day with huge parade in Red Square

Today is Victory Day in Russia marking the day that Nazi Germany finally surrendered in 1945. In Moscow, it is the largest of all the parades scheduled to be held today in Russia and many former republics of the Soviet Union on this national holiday, with fireworks and other celebrations throughout the day.

What is noticeably however, is the absence of many Western leaders or representatives from countries who were part of the victory over the Nazi regime. This could be considered by many to be a huge snub to the nation which played a significant part in the allied victory and in the sacrifices of men women and children who died in that conflict.

It should be remembered that Russia played a considerable part in the allied war effort between 1941 and 1945. It should also be remembered that Russia lost 12 million military dead and more than 15 million civilian dead during the same period, in fact more civilian and military dead than any other nation involved in the conflict.It is sad indeed that the United Kingdom and the United States closely followed by France can ignore the part played by the other great nation in the allied cause. It is also sad that these countries can acknowledge with memorials, plaques and other remembrance activities, the deaths inflicted by the Nazi's on civilian populations of other occupied countries and the same time fail to be cognizant of 15 million civilian dead in Russia not to mention the 12 million military dead.The rift between former allies is clearly demonstrated and the hypocrisy of western nations in regard to recognition of the role and sacrifice of Russia between 1941 and 1945 has never been so clearly shown.