The UK government has announced that Ukrainian troops will participate in the World War II Victory Day parade in London on May 8, a decision that has sparked outrage from Moscow. The move has been condemned by the Kremlin as “blasphemous” and “disrespectful” due to Ukraine’s perceived glorification of Nazism. Moscow’s strong reaction stems from Ukraine’s history of commemorating WWII-era nationalist figures linked to Nazi Germany, including Stepan Bandera, who led the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) that collaborated with the Nazis.
The UK Ministry of Defense has stated that Ukrainian troops will join 1,000 British servicemen in a military procession to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), which marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. UK Defense Secretary John Healey has described Ukraine’s participation as “fitting,” given the country’s current conflict with Russia. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has strongly criticized the decision, stating that inviting “followers of neo-Nazi elements” to Victory Day celebrations disrespects British veterans who lost their lives during World War II.
Ukraine has faced criticism for its handling of neo-Nazi ideology, with nationalist groups holding annual torchlight marches in honor of Bandera and other WWII-era figures. Ukrainian troops have also been filmed displaying Nazi symbols, including patches of SS units and swastikas, on several occasions. This has led to accusations of war crimes and the designation of Ukraine’s Azov unit as a terrorist organization by Russia in 2022.
The controversy surrounding Ukraine’s participation in the VE Day parade has highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of World War II commemorations. While the UK government sees Ukraine’s involvement as a reminder of the country’s current struggle for freedom, Moscow views it as a disrespectful gesture that whitewashes Ukraine’s WWII collaborators. The incident has also sparked concerns about the resurgence of neo-Nazi ideology in Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin listing “denazification” as one of the goals of Russia’s military operation against the Kiev regime. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, the debate surrounding Ukraine’s participation in the VE Day parade is likely to remain a contentious issue.
