By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
At a press briefing today, marking the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Russian officials combined remembrance of World War II with a forceful defense of their current geopolitical stance, arguing that the battle to preserve historical truth continues in today’s conflicts. Under the theme “81 Years of Victory: Defending Historical Truth and Memory,” the event stressed that Victory Day is not only about honoring past sacrifices but also about resisting what was described as ongoing attempts to distort history.
Speakers highlighted the importance of preserving verified records, countering revisionist interpretations of World War II, and ensuring that future generations inherit an accurate account of events. Officials warned that in some parts of the world, there are efforts to diminish the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany or to reinterpret wartime history in ways that overlook crimes committed during that era. According to the briefing, safeguarding historical truth is essential not just for remembrance, but for global stability. Linking past and present, the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, extended this argument to the ongoing war in Ukraine. He rejected claims that Russia launched an unprovoked invasion in 2022, asserting instead that the roots of the conflict trace back to the 2013–2014 political crisis in Kyiv. The ambassador described those events widely associated with the Euromaidan protests as a Western-supported “coup,” which he said led to the removal of then-President Viktor Yanukovych and triggered instability across Ukraine. According to his account, subsequent policies by the new government marginalized Russian-speaking communities, particularly in regions like Crimea and Donbas, fueling unrest and resistance. He further claimed that years of conflict between Ukrainian forces and separatist groups resulted in civilian casualties that received limited international attention. Central to Russia’s position, he said, is the failure of the Minsk Agreements internationally brokered deals intended to resolve the conflict which Moscow argues were not fully implemented by Ukraine and its Western allies. The ambassador also defended Russia’s recognition of the self-declared republics in Donetsk and Luhansk, stating that appeals from those regions prompted Moscow’s intervention under what it described as mutual defense obligations. Criticizing Western governments, Podelyshev accused them of selectively applying international law, emphasizing territorial integrity while, in his view, overlooking the principle of self-determination. He maintained that Russia’s objectives are focused on protecting civilians and preventing further violence, rather than territorial expansion.
The briefing came to a close with officials reiterating that, in their view, the struggle over how history is interpreted is closely tied to present-day conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine.
