Russia Launches Coordinated Propaganda Campaign Abroad Ahead of May 9 Victory Day
The Kremlin is orchestrating a wave of propaganda events across Europe and beyond in the lead-up to Russia’s annual May 9 “Victory Day” celebrations, aiming to glorify Soviet military history and manipulate historical narratives for political gain.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Ministry of Intelligence of Ukraine.
In multiple European capitals, including Prague, Brussels, Sofia, Warsaw, London, and Bucharest, pro-Russian groups and diplomatic outposts are organizing rallies, symbolic marches, and cultural events under the guise of commemorating World War II. Ukraine’s intelligence warns these events are designed to bolster Moscow’s ideological influence.
In Prague, pro-Kremlin groups are staging demonstrations titled “For Restoring Relations with Russia” and commemorating “80 Years of Liberation from Fascism” on May 7–8. The Czech Communist Party is also planning several events praising the Red Army’s role in the war. On May 9, processions are expected to take place through central Prague, masquerading as tributes to wartime victims.
Elsewhere, Russian cultural centers such as the “Russian House” are spearheading similar initiatives. In Brussels, a roundtable glorifying Soviet-era military cooperation with Belgium and its neighbors is scheduled. In Bulgaria and Romania, events like the “St. George Ribbon” campaign and flower-laying ceremonies are being used to push pro-Moscow narratives, including targeting children with Victory Day-themed social media campaigns.
In North America, cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Washington’s suburbs are also witnessing increased activity. The “Immortal Regiment” – a Kremlin-linked initiative – plans motor parades, Soviet-themed concerts, workshops, and film screenings featuring Russian wartime propaganda. These events are reportedly being amplified through Russian state media like “Russia 1”.
Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation also reports that similar campaigns are underway in non-Western countries. In Jakarta, Indonesia, Russian media hosted a screening of the Soviet film “The Cranes Are Flying” with Indonesian subtitles. Coordinated events are expected in India, China, South Africa, and Tanzania, where posters celebrating “joint victories” with the Soviet Union will be displayed publicly.
According to Ukrainian officials, these propaganda efforts aim to reframe Russia’s image abroad and exploit WWII history to whitewash its present-day war of aggression.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the European Union has given a clear instruction to EU candidate states not to attend the 9 May parade in Moscow.