Victory Day Celebrations Spread Across the Far East and Beyond
Across the time zones of the Far East, Victory Day celebrations began earlier than elsewhere in the country. Primorsky Krai was among the first regions to host the Victory Parade, with Siberia following suit. Regional leaders shared updates about the festivities on their Telegram channels, offering a window into how the day unfolded across vast distances.
The main parade took place on the central square in Vladivostok. Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako shared video footage of the event and extended his congratulations to local residents via his Telegram channel. He noted that, as tradition dictates, a veterans’ meeting was held that day on Admiralsky Square.
In his post, the governor marked the 97th birthday of frontline soldier Nikolai Yakovlevich Moskalenko. He described Moskalenko as a man with a remarkable journey, serving with the Pacific Fleet since 1943. In 1945, Moskalenko participated in battles with Japan on the Korean Peninsula aboard torpedo boats. After the war, he continued his service in military transport, serving as the driver to the commander of the Pacific Fleet, Nikolai Kuznetsov. For more than three decades, he led the Vladivostok garrison’s traffic police.
Aisen Nikolaev, president of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), also published several articles via his Telegram channel commemorating May 9. He wrote about the emotional impact of Victory Day—honoring veterans, laying flowers, and recognizing the sacrifices that secured freedom for people and nations. He accompanied his reflections with a video showing hundreds of Yakuts joining hands in the osuokhai circle, a sacred dance that binds the community in shared memory. He affirmed that all heroes are honored through Victory celebrations and continued to express pride in the nation’s history.
Vitaliy Khotsenko, Deputy Governor of the Omsk Region, noted on his Telegram channel that 21 military units participated in the Cathedral Square Parade. The parade traditionally featured the iconic T-34 tank at the lead of the armored column, a symbol of endurance and resilience. Khotsenko added that Russia takes pride in its defenders and remains confident that the armed forces will fulfill the tasks set forth by the president.
In the Amur Region, Governor Vasily Orlov spoke about the display of the Victory Banner on the Amur embankment in Blagoveshchensk. He reminded readers of the banner’s historical significance, recalling the moment when it flew over the Reichstag on May 1, symbolizing the defeat of fascism. Orlov emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War and honoring those who gave their lives for the country’s future. Attribution: Primorsky Krai Governor Telegram channel; Aisen Nikolaev Telegram channel; Vitaliy Khotsenko Telegram channel; Vasily Orlov Telegram channel.