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Post by TsarSamuil on May 7, 2015 13:27:19 GMT -5
'WW2 was much bigger than US & British-centric view of the conflict' - historian.
RT
May 7, 2015
For many, the Ukraine crisis re-awakened the memories of the horrors of World War II. As we approach the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism, revisionists have tried to re-frame the narrative of those events. How can we draw lessons from history without becoming a victim of its politicisation? Oksana is joined by Richard Overy, a historian and author, to reflect on these issues.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 8, 2015 13:55:57 GMT -5
Russian tanks on White House? Students protest Obama V-Day snub using fake 'projection' RT.com May 08, 2015 08:26  A still from a YouTube video by Национальный продюсерский центр «СЕТЬ»A still from a YouTube video by Национальный продюсерский центр «СЕТЬ» A Russian youth group released a video seemingly showing activists projecting footage of the Moscow Victory Parade on to the walls of the White House in Washington, DC. The group blasted President Obama for undermining Russia’s WWII victory celebrations. The YouTube clip, uploaded on Wednesday, seems to show World War II-era Soviet tanks and modern Russian armored vehicles rolling through Red Square – projected on to the wall of the US presidential residence by night. Some passers-by are seen taking videos of the giant projection. While the project appears to be nothing but a fake created by carefully edited montage to sharp-eyed viewers, it has been met with an overwhelming support from a young Russian audience. The video scored half a million views in just over one day, with thousands of likes and comments praising the creators’ “trolling level 90.” The video, released by students of the Russian National Cinematographic School sets out to be more than just a prank, as it starts with a message addressing US President Barack Obama. Calling May 9, 1945, the “day when the new world was born,” the group stresses the importance of celebrating victory over Nazism internationally and together with Russia. But, it goes on to claim, “Barack Obama has forbidden many world leaders to visit Moscow Victory Day Parade and refused to come himself.” Modern technology, however, allowed the activists to strike back at the political pressure, “If Barack doesn’t go to Moscow Victory Day Parade, the Parade will go to Barack!” This is not the first time the student group has made their statement via cinematic work, as in March they uploaded a clip showing a projection of wall-sized lyrics of a politically-charged song on the US embassy building in Moscow. The forged clip once again highlighted that the information found online should be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism. On Thursday, US Permanent Representative to NATO Douglas Lute admitted that his knowledge about the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine comes mostly from social networks rather than intelligence reports. “We should all ask ourselves: why is it that we know so little really about what is going on in Donbass. I mean, frankly, I read more on social media about what is going on in the Donbass than I get from formal intelligence networks. This is because the networks don’t exist today,” Lute told the Friends of Europe forum in Brussels. Emmy award-winning radio host, Lionel, told RT that social media can’t be put on the same plate as regular news and journalism. “The notion of social media gives the impression that there’s something valid to it,” he said, expressing the fear that over time society would “become conditioned to the fact that we go to this sites and these sources for news, but they’re not news. And, certainly, do not rise to the level of valid military intel.” The popularity of the video by the students is no coincidence, as the rhetoric of the White House set against the backdrop of the Ukrainian crisis has irritated many young people in Russia. The unwillingness of the Obama administration to take part in the 70th anniversary Victory Day celebrations in Moscow – and particularly the centralized Western stance on it being “inappropriate” to send delegations to a military parade amid conflict in eastern Ukraine – has even been taken by some as an insult to the nation. While Victory Day has for years been the most important holiday for the Russians as a time of unity and memory, the 70th anniversary is a particularly poignant milestone. Many believe it is the last major celebration when living veterans of the war could be honored on a national level, with fewer of them left each year. The traditional military parade on Red Square has been planned to include an unprecedented number of troops and military hardware for the ‘round’ date. Recently, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced she would not attend the Moscow parade, a Russian doctor from Novokuznetsk proposed to launch a ‘polite’ flashmob by sending Victory Day greeting cards to Merkel’s administration address. The Facebook post went viral, and the idea was taken up by activists and media outlets nationwide. Merkel, meanwhile, said she will be going to Moscow to honor WWII veterans and victims the day after the parade, on May 10. |
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 8, 2015 13:59:27 GMT -5
The Battle for Berlin: Final chapter of WW2.
RT
May 8, 2015
The Battle for Berlin was a final major offensive of the World War II. The city was encircled by Soviet forces, and after two weeks of intensive fighting, which involved around 3.5 million troops from both sides, the Nazi army surrendered. Hitler's Reich had failed. After years of war, the guns stopped firing.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 8, 2015 14:07:07 GMT -5
Putin: Russia & China worst affected by WW2, reject rehabilitation of Nazism & militarism.
RT.com
May 08, 2015 12:50
Russia and China suffered the worst casualties during World War II and thus have the greatest reasons to oppose attempts to rehabilitate Nazism and militarism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after meeting China’s President Xi Jinping.
Xi arrived in Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart with an array of economic deals to sign. The Chinese leader will also take part in the V-Day celebration in Moscow on Saturday. A military parade demonstrating brand new Russian weapons is part of the festivities to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
“Tomorrow with other world leaders we will take part in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the [Soviet] victory in World War II, and in September in Beijing we will mark the end of the World War II. We will commemorate those who stood side by side against the militaristic Japan,” Putin said.
He added that China and Russia paid the greatest price in loss of life from the war and that “now together we stand against any attempts to rehabilitate Nazism and militarism, attempts to falsify history.”
Xi, who personally invited the Russian president to attend the September 3 commemoration in China, said the event is meant “to honor the memory of the lost heroes” and “not allow the tragic history of that war repeat again, to create world peace together.
“The hard lessons of the World War II say that coexistence of humanity is not ruled by the law of the jungle. The politics of peace is the exact opposite of the aggressive hegemonic politics of force. The path of human development does not lay in the principle ‘the winner takes it all,’ not in zero-sum games,” he added.
China and Russia are strengthening cooperation amid a Washington-led effort to isolate Moscow over its position in the Ukrainian crisis. Russia sees China as a major importer of energy in decades to come. The two countries also want to develop ties in defense production, military training, fighting against extremism and international crime, cultural and scientific collaboration.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 8, 2015 14:23:00 GMT -5
ISS: Russian crew members mark Victory Day 2015 from space.
RuptlyTV
May 8, 2015
Despite orbiting earth at over 1.6 km (1 mile) per second the Russian contingent on board the International Space Station (ISS) marked Victory Day, which marks the 70th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (World War II) on May 9 1945, on Friday.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 8, 2015 14:52:14 GMT -5
CrossTalk: Remembering Victory.
RT
May 8, 2015
The War in Europe came to an end 70 years ago. The Soviet Union and its Allies stood supreme over the vanquished Nazi enemy, with the continent on its knees. What lessons have been learned since that vast conflict? And what lessons have been unlearned? Was the loss of so many millions in vain? CrossTalking with Geoffrey Roberts, Jeffrey Tayler and Dmitry Babich.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 4:18:40 GMT -5
UK: Russian veterans commemorate WWII anniversary in Churchill's 'War Rooms'
RuptlyTV
May 8, 2015
Red Army veterans commemorated the victory of the Allied Nations in Europe during World War Two in Winston Churchill’s war time bunker in London, Friday.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 4:21:16 GMT -5
USA: Brooklyn remembers Russia's World War II sacrifice.
RuptlyTV
May 8, 2015
Veterans of World War II commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Allied Forces victory in the Atlantic and the end of the war in Europe at the Brooklyn War Memorial in New York, Friday.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 4:29:10 GMT -5
Romania: Russian and Romanian veterans decorated at WWII memorial service.
RuptlyTV
May 8, 2015
Fighting on different sides some 70 years ago, Russian and Romanian veterans came together at the Red Army Heroes' Monument and the city's Russian embassy in Bucharest, Friday, to commemorate those who died during WWII, later receiving medals for their services.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 4:30:39 GMT -5
Russia: 'Victory Rally' ends at Moscow’s principle war memorial after Berlin journey.
RuptlyTV
May 8, 2015
Participants of the international ‘Victory Is One For All’ rally concluded their 40-day journey at Moscow’s Victory Park, Friday.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 4:48:43 GMT -5
Australia: Russian community celebrate Victory Day 2015 in Sydney.
RuptlyTV
May 9, 2015
Victory Day 2015 celebrations began in Sydney's Memorial Park, Saturday. A large gathering of the surrounding area's Russian population came to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia Vladimir Morozov spoke at the ceremony, saying that Victory Day is a "great" day not only for Russia but "in the history of mankind."
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 5:31:34 GMT -5
Putin y Raúl Castro participarán en desfile histórico.
teleSUR tv
May 8, 2015
Vladimir Putin y Raúl Castro, presidentes de Rusia y Cuba, participarán en el desfile histórico por el Día de la Victoria en Moscú, para conmemorar la victoria sobre los nazis. Se prevé que dicho festejo sea histórico.
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 6:00:39 GMT -5
Putin decorates Serb WW2 veterans. TANJUG SOCIETY | MAY 8, 2015 | 12:40 BELGRADE -- Serbia's WW2 veterans have been decorated with the jubilee medals of the Russian Federation on the occasion of 70 years of victory over fascism. The medals have been presented by Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Chepurin in the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decorated veterans, Slavko Andjelic from Belgrade and Miladin Maric from Loznica, are only two of around 70 Serb veterans who fought side by side with the Red Army for the liberation of their country. In the presence of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, representatives of the diplomatic corps and numerous guests, the Russian ambassador handed over the Jubilee Medal "70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 to the Alliance of Associations of the National Liberation War Veterans (SUBNOR) received by organization's president Dusan Cukic at Thursday's ceremony. Chepurin underlined that the iron will of our peoples, their faith and intrepidity have saved the world and Europe from slavery, and entire peoples from extermination. "Please allow me to extend a special greeting to the living witnesses of these events - our veterans. We are proud of you! We are grateful to you," Chepurin said.  |
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 6:42:22 GMT -5
Victory |S2E132|
IN THE NOW
May 8, 2015
This week 70 years ago Nazism was defeated in what would become part of the deadliest war in history. Over 60 million people lost their lives in World War Two. Some 30 million of those lives were Soviet. The Great Patriotic War ended on the 9th of May but should never be forgotten. In the Now we look back at the war and whether its legacy is dying. History is being rewritten, and joint triumphs trumped by geopolitical interest. So what happens when those who witnessed the war are gone?
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Post by TsarSamuil on May 9, 2015 6:58:05 GMT -5
Germany: 'Night Wolves' lay wreaths at Soviet War Memorial in Berlin.
RuptlyTV
May 9, 2015
Members of the Russian 'Night Wolves' motorcycle club laid flowers at Treptower Park's Soviet War Memorial in Berlin, Saturday.
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Germany: Hundreds lay floral tributes at Soviet War Memorial in Berlin's Tiergarten.
RuptlyTV
May 9, 2015
Hundreds of Berliners and veterans gathered at the Soviet War Memorial in the German capital’s Tiergarten, Saturday, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Soviet victory over the Nazis in World War II.
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Germany: Night Wolves pray in Orthodox Cathedral of Berlin.
RuptlyTV
May 9, 2015
Several members of the Russian 'Night Wolves' motorcycle club attended a divine liturgy in the Resurrection of the Christ Orthodox Cathedral of Berlin, Saturday. They were blessed by a priest before they took off for a next destination.
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