Belarus marks 81st Victory Day with parades and ceremonies across Minsk, Gomel
Synopsis
Belarus marked 80 years since the Soviet victory with nationwide ceremonies, military parades, and cultural events on 9 May 2025. President Lukashenko used the occasion to warn against historical amnesia and call for global dialogue — a pointed message as war continues on the European continent.
Key Takeaways
Belarus held nationwide commemorations on 9 May 2025 for the 81st anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War .
Thousands gathered at Victory Square in Minsk to lay flowers at the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of the Motherland and the Eternal Flame .
Events were held in Mogilev and Gomel , including a Victory Waltz dance event and a military parade on Lenin Square .
President Alexander Lukashenko called on nations to choose dialogue over confrontation and warned against the resurgence of aggression.
Russia also marked the anniversary with a military parade on Red Square in Moscow .
Cities and towns across Belarus held solemn ceremonies, exhibitions, and cultural events on 9 May 2025 to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, with thousands gathering at landmark memorials to honour those who sacrificed their lives fighting fascism.
Ceremonies in Minsk
In the capital Minsk, thousands of residents, veterans, students, and public officials assembled at Victory Square to lay flowers at the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of the Motherland and the Eternal Flame. The gathering served as the centrepiece of a nationwide day of remembrance. The Glory Hill memorial complex, located outside the capital, hosted an exhibition of authentic wartime artefacts, offering visitors a tangible connection to the struggles and sacrifices endured during the conflict.
Events Across Belarus
In Mogilev, a city in eastern Belarus, high school students participated in a Victory Waltz dance event, using movement to express reverence for fallen soldiers and celebrate the restoration of peace. The event reflected a broader effort to keep wartime memory alive among younger generations.
The city of Gomel marked the anniversary with a military parade on Lenin Square, paying tribute to the soldiers who fought for Belarus's liberation during World War II. Such regional parades have become a defining feature of Victory Day observances across the former Soviet space.
Lukashenko's Address
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in his Victory Day address, described 9 May 1945 as a sacred date for every Belarusian. He underscored Belarus's responsibility to safeguard global peace, warning against what he called the resurgence of aggression and the dangers of historical amnesia. Lukashenko called on all nations to choose dialogue over confrontation and development over destruction, urging the preservation of the victory's legacy for future generations.
Russia Also Commemorates
Across the border, Russia simultaneously marked the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory. The slogan "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten" was displayed prominently throughout Moscow, underscoring Victory Day's enduring significance in national memory. White, blue, and red banners emblazoned with the word "Victory" lined the capital's avenues and squares, while a grand military parade was held on the iconic Red Square on Saturday morning. As geopolitical tensions continue to shadow Eastern Europe, the scale and solemnity of this year's commemorations signal that both Belarus and Russia are investing heavily in the symbolic weight of wartime memory.
Point of View
But this year's ceremonies arrive against the backdrop of an active war in neighbouring Ukraine — making Lukashenko's calls for dialogue over confrontation simultaneously resonant and contradictory, given Minsk's alignment with Moscow. The emphasis on anti-fascist legacy and historical memory is a well-worn instrument of legitimacy in both capitals, deployed with renewed intensity as the war reshapes European security. What is often underreported is Belarus's disproportionate wartime loss — among the highest per-capita casualty rates in Europe — which gives these commemorations a genuine popular resonance extending well beyond state choreography. The real question is whether the language of remembrance can coexist with the geopolitical choices being made in the present.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great Patriotic War?
The Great Patriotic War refers to the Soviet Union's conflict against Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945, forming the Eastern Front of World War II. Belarus suffered catastrophic losses during the war, with the country among the hardest-hit nations in Europe.
How did Belarus mark the 81st Victory Day in 2025?
Belarus held solemn ceremonies, military parades, and cultural events across cities including Minsk, Gomel, and Mogilev on 9 May 2025. Key events included a flower-laying ceremony at Victory Square in Minsk and a military parade on Lenin Square in Gomel.
What did President Lukashenko say in his Victory Day address?
President Alexander Lukashenko described 9 May 1945 as a sacred date for every Belarusian. He warned against the resurgence of aggression and historical amnesia, and called on all nations to choose dialogue over confrontation and development over destruction.
Did Russia also commemorate Victory Day in 2025?
Yes, Russia marked the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory with a grand military parade on Red Square in Moscow. The slogan 'No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten' was displayed prominently throughout the capital.
Why is Victory Day significant for Belarus?
Victory Day on 9 May holds deep significance for Belarus because the country endured some of the heaviest losses of any nation in World War II. The commemoration is both a national act of mourning and a celebration of liberation from Nazi occupation.
