The most common association with Victory Day among Russians is the military parade. This finding comes from a study conducted by the All-Russian Public Opinion Center, as reported by TASS, and reflects the day’s enduring symbolism for many citizens.
In the survey, 63% of respondents named the military parade as the central event linked to May 9. A closely linked symbol was St. George and its ribbon, cited by 58% of participants, followed by the Immortal Regiment campaign mentioned by 54%. Additional elements included the Eternal Flame, cited by 45%, songs about the war by 43%, and fireworks planned for the evening of May 9 by 38%. These figures illustrate how a variety of commemorative traditions contribute to the national mood surrounding the holiday.
Around one third of respondents highlighted the Victory Banner, medals, insignia, and red carnations as particular symbols (33% and 31% respectively). Other historically rooted items, such as the portrayal of frontline life or memories of wartime leadership, appeared less often in the responses, underscoring a spectrum of associations rather than a single dominant symbol.
Despite the diversity of associations, a clear majority—65% of those surveyed—regarded Victory Day as the most important national holiday. This sentiment has held steady for several consecutive years, marking a persistent prioritization of the day in the national calendar. Observations note that the holiday has climbed to the top position over the past five years, rising from earlier rankings where the New Year held supreme status before 2018. The importance attached to Victory Day tends to increase with age, reaching around seven in ten among Russians aged sixty and older.
The survey also found that nearly all respondents have relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War. Younger generations, however, were less aware of their relatives’ specific roles than older citizens, suggesting gaps in family histories that may influence how the memory is transmitted across cohorts.
Another notable result shows a belief among many that the Soviet Union could have prevailed without Western Allied aid. About two-thirds of respondents felt that help from the United States and Great Britain contributed to victory, while one quarter believed the Soviet Union would have been defeated without such support. These opinions reflect a nuanced interpretation of the wartime alliance and its impact on outcomes.
Regarding the causes of heavy losses during the war, a substantial share of respondents attributes the severity of the Soviet toll to the initial surprise German attack. A smaller portion attributes losses to Germany’s military-technical superiority, and some point to domestic policies or decisions that influenced wartime outcomes. A minority assigns blame to weakness in leadership within the Soviet command structure. These varying attributions illustrate the complex national narrative surrounding the war and its heavy human cost.
Scale and scope of the survey are noted, with data collected via telephone across the country on a given date, involving a broad cross-section of adults. The methodology is described as having a reasonably small error margin, reflecting a credible snapshot of public opinion at the time of collection.
Official statements during the period affirmed that the Victory Day parade in Moscow would proceed as planned, with high-profile participation and standard ceremonial elements. The weather outlook for Moscow around the holiday pointed to partly cloudy conditions with cool to mild temperatures, suggesting a brisk but manageable climate for outdoor commemorations. Forecasts indicated a cold night near zero degrees and daytime highs in the range of 10 to 14 degrees, with expected variations around seasonal norms. Across the city, temperatures were projected to be several degrees below typical averages for the period, with brief periods of wind that could influence outdoor activities. The weekend ahead was anticipated to be cool as well, with temperatures dipping to near or below average and occasional wind, factors that families and organizers consider when planning outdoor events and parades. Fans and participants were advised to prepare accordingly for the mix of cool weather and ceremonial intensity that often accompanies May traditions.