Victory Day, Russia’s most important secular holiday, lauds two tenets that are central to the country’s identity: military might and moral rectitude. But the war in Ukraine undermines both this year. The holiday falling on Tuesday marks the 78th anniversary of Germany's capitulation in World War II after a relentless Red Army offensive pushed German forces from Stalingrad, deep inside Russia, all the way to Berlin, about 2,200 kilometers (1,300 miles). The Soviet Union lost at least 20 million people in the war; the suffering and valor that went into the German defeat have been touchstones ever since. However, many regions have canceled their May 9 observances because of concerns the events could be targets for Ukrainian attacks. Moscow’s famed Red Square military parade will go ahead following Russia's claim of an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on the Kremlin, whose spires loom next to the parade venue. For all the fearsome armaments that will growl through the square, Russia’s failure to make gains in Ukraine spoils the image of its army’s indomitability. Also Read: Russia will defend its interests and work together for a peaceful future: Ambassador says on country’s Victory Day After seizing sizable parts of the neighboring country in the opening weeks of the invasion, the Russian campaign saw an abandoned attempt to enter Kyiv, retreats in northern and southern Ukraine, and an inability to take Bakhmut, a small city of questionable value, despite months of exceptionally gruesome fighting. President Vladimir Putin, in his speech during the parade, is sure to praise the Red Army’s determination to wipe out Nazism and to repeat his assertion that Russia is taking the moral high ground by fighting an alleged Nazi regime in Ukraine, a country with a Jewish president. But the missiles that rain down on Ukrainian civilian targets have drawn worldwide condemnation of Russia, while the Western countries that made common cause with Moscow to defeat Nazi Germany send billions of dollars' worth of weapons to Ukraine. Analysts are divided on whether the May 3 drone incident at the Kremlin was a genuine attack or a “false flag” concocted to justify increasing the ferocity of Russia's missile barrages in Ukraine. Either explanation risks undermining the sense of security among Russians already rattled by attacks, likely committed by Ukraine or by domestic opponents, that have risen sharply in recent weeks. Two freight trains derailed this week in bomb explosions in the Bryansk region that borders Ukraine. Notably, the region’s authorities did not blame Ukraine, which could be an attempt to whitewash the Ukrainian capability to carry out sabotage. But Bryansk authorities claimed in March that two people were shot and killed when alleged Ukrainian saboteurs penetrated the region. The region also has come under sporadic cross-border shelling, including last month, when four people were killed. Three prominent supporters of the war in Ukraine also were killed or injured on their home turf elsewhere in Russia. A car-bombing last week in the Nizhny Novgorod region that officials blamed on Ukraine and the United States severely injured nationalist novelist Zakhar Prilepin and killed his driver. Last year, Darya Dugina, a commentator with a nationalist TV channel, died in a car bombing outside Moscow, and authorities alleged Ukrainian intelligence was behind the April death in St. Petersburg of prominent pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, who was killed when a bomb inside a statuette he was handed at a restaurant party exploded. Amid the heightened security worries, authorities also canceled one of Victory Day's most notable observances, the “Immortal Regiment” processions in which throngs of citizens take to the streets holding portraits of relatives who died or served in World War II. The processions carry an air of genuine emotion, in sharp contrast to the obedient stone-faced soldiers who march across Red Square during the tightly regimented military parades that change little from year to year. Although the processions are moving and impressively large, authorities “thought that the risks were becoming prohibitive,” said Russian analyst Dmitry Oreshkin, now at the Free University in Riga, Latvia. “If some kind of drones fly there, penetrate through the impenetrable border ... then why can’t they drop something on this column?”

Mobile financial services provider Nagad has come up with a cashback or discount of up to 22 percent on purchases of goods from around 6,000 outlets of 300 different brands to celebrate Bangladesh's Victory Day. Customers can enjoy this offer on the purchase of groceries, lifestyle products, furniture and accessories, electronics and food from restaurants from physical stores and online. The campaign "Utshober Khushi Nagad-e Beshi," launched on December 15, will continue till December 31. Read More: Nagad is a Digital Bangladesh success story: Mustafa Jabbar Nagad users can also avail of this cashback on purchases of electronics products and gadgets from brands such as Walton, Rangs, Rayans, Jamuna Electronics, Samsung, Xiaomi, Star Tech, Vision Electronics, and Transcom Digital. There is also a cashback of up to 22 percent on the purchase of lifestyle products from brands such as Bata, Apex, Bay Emporium, Lotto, Top Ten, Bishwo Rang, Gentle Park, Sailor, Artisan and SaRa Lifestyle. Besides, customers will also get cashback on Nagad payments for food items bought from specific restaurants, including KFC, BFC, Burger King, Tasty Treat, Madchef, Cheese, Pagla Baburchi, Pizza Hut and Star Kabab. Read More: Nagad offers up to Tk200 bonus on 'add money' from Mastercard There is also a Tk 100 cashback offer for Nagad users while making a minimum grocery purchase of Tk 1,500 from selected super shops, including Shwapno and Meena Bazar. Also, Nagad customers can enjoy up to 16 percent instant cashback on purchases from selected Bangladeshi pharmacies, such as Lazz Pharma, Tamanna Pharmacy and Arogga.

Several renowned cultural organisations hosted various events across the country to celebrate the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh with festivities. Organisations and institutions, namely Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Chhayanaut, Liberation War Museum (LWM), Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi and others hosted cultural shows and discussions at different venues on Friday and Saturday. The festivities in the city began with a three-day ‘Bijoymela’ organised by Bangla Academy on December 15 at its Nazrul Mancha. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the event, which was comprised of a seminar on December 15 at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium. Bangla Academy staff alongside its Director General poet Nurul Huda placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs Memorial on Victory Day, and the ‘Bijoymela’ was concluded on Saturday. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) staff and artistes also placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and organised several cultural events throughout Friday. The cultural shows comprised patriotic songs, recitations, dance and a special performance segment with child artists at the Nandan Mancha on the BSA, featuring child artistes from Sporsho Braille, and a dance recital by differently abled children’s troupe Karishma Cultural Group. Returning after two years since its maiden edition in 2015, cultural institution Chhayanaut organised a programme at the Dhaka University Central Playground featuring solo and group songs, recitations and dance recitals. The event was on a hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and Dhaka University Birth Centenary events in 2021.  Read more: Cultural orgs celebrate Victory Day amid festivities Chhayanaut artistes performed eight group songs and two solo songs compiled with dance recitals, and recitations by Jayanto Chattopadhyay at the event. The festivity concluded at 4:31 pm with a group song performance along with the audience, marking the exact moment when the Pakistan Military surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India in 1971.

To pay tribute to the freedom fighters, a group of 16 athletes walked 51km Saturday. "Hatahati – the Walks," a group of walkers, observed the programme marking the 51st Victory Day. They started at the zero point of the capital at Friday midnight and walked on through Dhaka–Mawa–Dhaka highway till 1.30pm. At the endpoint of the programme, the walkers paid respect to the freedom fighters of 1971 and took an oath to serve the nation with sincere and responsible citizenship. Read more: Bangladesh’s Victory Day celebrated in Dubai with ‘Bijoy Art Exhibition’ Hatahati – the Walks motivates people and shares information about the necessity and usefulness of walking. They also organise walkathons and long-distance walking or hiking programmes. The walkers' group organised a 71km Dhaka-Valuka walkathon last year to observe 1971, the year of Bangladesh's independence. To pay respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary they also arranged a 100km walking programme from Dhaka to Cumilla.

Funun Arts Group along with Mahfuz Canvas from Bangladesh organised “Bijoy”, an artistic celebration of 51st Victory Day of Bangladesh, on December 12 at Dubai International Art Center. This exhibition proclaimed the message of tolerance and unity with which nations should build a safe and secure future for their coming generations. “Bijoy” featured sixty original artworks from Bangladesh. Most of the artists visited the UAE as part of the exhibition and others sent their artworks to be exhibited. Read more: Spirit of Victory Day imbues celebrations at home and abroad Artists from twenty nationalities, who are residents of UAE also joined them in exhibiting unique and spectacular artistic pieces on the theme of love, peace, harmony, and togetherness. Consul General of Bangladesh in Dubai and the Northern Emirates B.M. Jamal Hossain inaugurated this mega art event while eminent personalities were present on the occasion. Appreciating Funun Arts and Mahfuz Canvas along with the title sponsor, PowerPac, for oganising the exhibition, Jamal Hossain said this will mark the beginning of a new era where art, ideologies, and perspectives merge in creating a better world for posterity. “Art is beyond all boundaries, and we are using art to bring people together in this wonderful land,” said Shiba Khan, Founder and CEO of Funun Arts. PowerPac (a concern of Sikder Group) was the title sponsor of this event.

Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra has celebrated the 51st anniversary of the Victory Day through a day-long program with due solemnity and festivity. Celebration on December 16 commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by the High Commissioner in the morning at the Chancery premise in presence of the High Commission officials and members of the community. Afterwards, a special prayer was offered for eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation, and martyrs of the Liberation War and also for the continued peace and prosperity of Bangladesh. Messages of the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh as well as Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. Also read: Bangladesh Embassy in South Korea celebrates Victory Day Speaking at the programs, High Commissioner M Allama Siddiki paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as to all martyrs, freedom fighters and women for their sacrifices during the Liberation War. Referring to Bangladesh genocide (1971) as one of the worst in the world, he said that the Pakistani military had tortured and killed general people in the most brutal way possible. He praised the continued developmental journey of Bangladesh and expressed satisfaction that Bangladesh has been leading in many socio economic sectors in South Asia. The High Commissioner said that the Bengali identity has been formed in thousand years and it was perfected by the visionary leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through conceiving an independent Bangladesh and realising it. He termed the Liberation War as a People's War and remembered all the common people with gratitude who contributed to this war. In the evening programme, the High Commission hosted a colourful cultural programme of recitation, songs and dance at the Chancery. The recitation and song renditions by the local cultural groups Kabbo Kothon and Spondon enthralled the audience. An array of Bangladeshi patriotic poems, folk songs and dance attracted the audience and made the event colourful and festive. The program was attended by 200 guests.  

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has celebrated the Victory Day, vowing to work for boosting Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in socio-economic and political fields. The Mission paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, and remembered the supreme sacrifices of millions of martyrs of the independence war in a solemn celebration of the nation’s historic triumph in the nine-month war against Pakistani occupying forces. High Commissioner Md. Mustafizur Rahman accompanied by officers and staff of the Mission raised the red and green national flag as the national anthem played in the morning of December 16. The High Commissioner Rahman and others placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at the Mission’s Mujib Corner. Also read: President inspects Victory Day parade Victory day message from President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were read out. A.K.M. Atiqul Haque, Minister (Commerce); Wing Commander S M Ragib Samad, Assistant Defence Adviser (Air); Md. Abdul Wadud Akanda, Counsellor (Political) and Zakaria Bin Amjad, Second Secretary. Selim Md. Jahangir, Minister (Consular) took part in the discussion. A documentary on the journey of prosperity and development of Bangladesh for 52 years was also screened followed by one minute silence and special prayer remembering Bangabandhu and the war martyrs. The High Commissioner said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamt of a ‘Sonar Bangla’, a ‘Golden Bengal’, which would be a land of peace, progress and prosperity. "Over the past five decades, we have been making continued strides to realise his dream." He said Bangladesh has made stellar achievements in alleviating poverty, ensuring food security, improving public health, promoting education, empowering women and fighting climate change and natural disasters. Bangladesh is now scheduled to graduate from the LDC category to a developing country in 2026, he said. Under the visionary stewardship of the Prime Minister, the High Commissioner said that they are now committed to realising the present government’s ‘Vision 2041’ by transforming Bangladesh into a developed, tech-savvy and knowledge-driven economy.  

Bangladeshis at home and abroad celebrated Bangladesh’s 52nd Victory Day on Friday paying deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War. Imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and new energy, people from all walks of life joined various programmes paying profound tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War in 1971. After a bloodstained nine-month-long war and at the cost of the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs and the honour of nearly half a million mothers and sisters, Bangladesh finally gained its freedom as an independent country on this glorious day, December 16, 1971 with the surrender of Pakistani occupation forces. Along with the government, different socio-political, educational and cultural institutions and organisations chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the day. Bangladeshis at home and abroad also celebrated the day. The day’s programme began with a 31-gun salute. Read more: President inspects Victory Day parade President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar with the rising of the sun. Freedom fighters and their family members, foreign diplomats, leaders of Awami League, BNP and different other political and social organisations and people from all walks of life also placed wreaths at the National Memorial paying tributes to the martyrs.

Hundreds of renowned artists of the country celebrated the 52nd Victory Day in a slightly different atmosphere through art camp and painting competition for children and teenagers. Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology organised this colorful event on Friday morning at its campus in the capital’s Uttara. Renowned artists Rafiqun Nabi, Hashem Khan, Shishir Bhattacharjee and Nisar Hossain were present in the event. Acting Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer of the University Prof Shamsun Nahar inaugurated the program with the hoisting of the national flag. Read more: Nation celebrating Victory Day

President Abdul Hamid on Friday witnessed the Victory Day parade at national parade square, marking Victory Day. President Abdul Hamid took salutes and inspected the parade as the chief guest at the national parade ground. Read more: PM releases postage stamp on Victory Day The Great Victory Day Parade was held under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division and management of the 9th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army. Parade Commander Major General Mohammad Shahinul Haque accompanied the President during the inspection. Hamid also witnessed armoury acquisitions of different regiments and contingents of the armed forces, a spectacular fly-past conducted by army aviation, helicopters of anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), navy aviation, parachute landing by army paratroopers and the air force of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Coast Guard, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps took part in the parade. On his arrival at the parade venue at about 10:30 am, Hamid was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, parliament members and the chiefs of the three services and senior officers of the armed forces division. Earlier, President Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar early Friday, marking the Day. The head of state placed a wreath at the altar of the National Memorial at about 6:30am followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After placing the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971. Read more: President, PM witness Victory Day parade The Nation is celebrating its 52nd Victory Day (inc. December 16, 1971) with elaborate programmes, paying homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country during the Liberation War. On this glorious day in 1971, Bangladesh was liberated as an independent country after the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered following a bloody nine-month war.