Putin's mad push to revive Soviet Union with Stalin statues & Red Army cosplay – as aide insists USSR ‘NEVER broke up'
Vladimir Putin has never been coy about his Soviet nostalgia - but in recent years has progressed from distant longing to enforcing a full-blown USSR revival programme
13
Putin to preside over the power wielded by the Soviet Union in the 20th century
Credit: Alamy
13
A huge Soviet flag was unfurled by a group of young cadets at the recent victory parade
Credit: AP/Dmitri Lovetsky
13
Moscow hosted a colossal parade on Victory Day this month to mark 80 years since the end of WW2
13
The parade took place in the shadow of the Kremlin
The despot is painting every part of Russia's society in Soviet colours - from erecting Stalin statues to cosplaying the Red
Army
.
Most alarmingly, his stooges have been sewing doubt that the USSR ever dissolved in the first place.
This week, Anton Kobiakov, a Kremlin advisor, insisted that the Soviet Union "still legally exists".
Another official chimed in yesterday to say the Kremlin was prepared to act on the "possible illegality" - whatever that could mean.
READ MORE ON RUSSIA
This narrative has festered for some time, but has been intensified since
Russia
invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine
used to be part of the USSR, so arguing the power never ceased to exist offers another excuse for its invasion to feed the Russian people.
Putin previously called the collapse of the USSR 'the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" - and is on a mission to restore its might.
Statues of Soviet dictators have been springing up across Russia to serve as physical reminders of the glory days - before it call came crashing down in 1991.
Most read in The US Sun
This week, a life-sized statue of Joseph Stalin appeared in a busy metro station in Moscow - to the horror many modern Russians.
Stalin is attributed with causing up to 10million deaths during his reign of terror between 1924 and 1952, and was denounced by a later prime minster, Khrushchev, as a despot and mass murderer.
Putin visits Kursk just 35 miles from Ukraine for first time since recapturing territory with waves of suicide missions
But being a despot and mass murderer is apparently a green flag in Vlad's book.
Earlier this month, a bronze Stalin bust also appeared in a northwestern village, as well as an incendiary monument dedicated to him in a Ukrainian city invaded by Russia.
A local Communist Party
cheese
unveiling the bust said: "It's important for young people and for the older generation to recognise the people who made our country a great power.
"Stalin today is a symbol of victory that no one will ever be able to erase from
history
."
13
13
A statue of former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin appeared at a metro station in Moscow this month
Credit: getty images
13
Russia's Defence Minister oversees the military parade on Victory Day
There are now over 100 Stalin replicas lurking around Russia - up from only a handful when Putin took charge.
Accompanying the monument in Melitopol, Ukraine, a plaque reads:
"To the organizer and inspirer of the victory of the Soviet people over the Nazi invaders, Generalissimo of the
Joseph
, from grateful descendants."
It's true that USSR forces played a role in defeating the Nazis in World War Two - but Putin has corrupted the history and exploited it for his own gain.
On May 9 this year,
China
,
Brazil
and
Slovakia
.
13
Flag-bearing servicemen lead the procession
Credit: EPA/PELAGIA TIKHONOVA
13
One of the guests on the front row of the parade
During his monologue, Putin harked back to the USSR and claimed it had been the most important force in defeating the Nazis.
The Kremlin has lied to its people that Nazism is rising again in Ukraine, and uses that to justify the illegal invasion of its neighbour.
Putin is trying to harvest the national spirit whipped up by the remembrance of WW2 and channel it into support for his land grabbing.
The Victory Day parade was also a chance for Russia's soldiers to dust-off their Red Army costumes.
Thousands of troops marched around Moscow's Red Square to a thunderous brass band, followed by a train of enormous nukes and heavy weaponry trundling through.
In the midst of the pomp, a group of young cadets unfurled a giant replica of the Soviet hammer-and-sickle flag - literally putting the ideology in the hands of the
next
generation.
Putin took the mic to claim that "peace and justice are on our side," and th
at
the whole of Russia is united behin
d the war in Ukraine.
He said: "The whole country, society and people support the participants of the special military operation.
13
Russia's troops got dressed up in Red Army outfits
Credit: ap
13
Huge armoured tanks roll through Moscow's Red Square
Credit: REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
"We are proud of their bravery and determination, of the fortitude that has always brought us only victory."
Then, in a deliberate dig at Trump, he declared: 'We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance."
Russia expert Stephen Hall told The Sun: "Russia is trying to highlight they're not isolated, that it's
business
as usual and that they have the capacity to show military force.
"But we have to remember that a lot of this is for show, and also that this is the 80th anniversary of a celebration that is very important to
Vladimir Putin
."
BREAKING AWAY
Experts have explained that
Dr Bininachvili, an expert on Central Asia, told The Sun about one of those - Kazakhstan.
He said:
'The President has taken a stance opposite Russia, and openly challenges
"Kazakhstan wants to stay in line with the UN, in line with international
law
, which is seen as a direct challenge to Moscow.
He cited a meeting between
and Kazakhstan where both presidents opted to speak in their native tongue - despite both leaders knowing the Russian
language
.
13
A flyover of fighter jets trail the colours of the Russian flag in smoke
13
Putin and Xi Jinping having a natter while watching the victory parade
This action sent a strong signal to Moscow, as two of their closest allies and ex-Soviet states put their foot down.
Dr. Bininachvili also pointed out all other post-Soviet states, including Russian ally Belarus, refuse to recognize Russia's annexation of
Georgia
.
He said: 'It is quite evident that Putin's disastrous war in Ukraine and his aggressive revanchist policies aimed at restoration of Moscow's control over the former Soviet space has left him friendless, but it will take time before ex-Soviet pals turn on him.
'They are very careful not to make a faux pas and prefer to wait until some decisive points are reached on the
frontline
before they show their cards.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Anger as far-right Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem
A far-right Israeli minister has prayed at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the move could further escalate tensions. With Israel already facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israel's nearly two-year military offensive in the territory. The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary, and today it is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. Itamar Ben Gvir, left (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) Visits are considered a provocation across the Muslim world and openly praying violates a longstanding status quo at the site. Under the status quo, Jews have been allowed to tour the site but are barred from praying, with Israeli police and troops providing security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said after Mr Ben-Gvir's visit that Israel would not change the norms governing the holy site. Mr Ben-Gvir made the stop after Hamas released videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages. The videos caused in uproar in Israel and raised pressure on the government to reach a deal to bring home from Gaza the remaining hostages who were captured on October 7 2023, in the attack that triggered the war. During his visit to the hilltop compound, Mr Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip and encourage Palestinians to leave, reviving rhetoric that has complicated negotiations to end the war. Benjamin Netanyahu (Aaron Chown/PA) He condemned the video that Hamas released on Saturday of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David, showing him looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel. The minister called it an attempt to pressure Israel. Mr Ben-Gvir's previous visits to the site have been explosive and prompted threats from Palestinian militant groups. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators in and around the site fuelled an 11-day war with Hamas in 2021. His Sunday visit was swiftly condemned as an incitement by Palestinian leaders as well as Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Sufian Qudah, spokesman for the foreign ministry in neighboring Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Al Aqsa Mosque, condemned what he called 'provocative incursions by the extremist minister' and implored Israel to prevent escalation.
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Ukraine officials arrested over large-scale corruption scheme involving drone procurement
UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE said they arrested several politicians in connection with a 'large-scale corruption scheme' in the defence sector, shortly after an uproar over the independence of anti-graft bodies. A law passed at the end of July stripped the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) of their independence and placed them under the supervision of the Prosecutor General, himself appointed by the head of state. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday backtracked and restored the bodies' independence following an outcry from the country's allies and the first anti-government street demonstrations since the Russian invasion in 2022. The NABU said on Saturday that it and the SAP had exposed 'a scheme for the systematic misappropriation of budget funds allocated by local authorities for the needs of the defence forces, as well as the receipt and provision of unlawful benefits on an especially large scale'. It said the scheme involved inflating prices for electronic warfare and drone equipment, and then funnelling off 30% of the contract amounts. The suspects include a member of parliament, heads of district and city administrations, members of the National Guard, and executives at defence companies. Advertisement The NABU said it has made four arrests so far but did not identify those detained. The interior ministry said it had suspended the suspected members of the National Guard. NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and Head of the SAPO Oleksandr Klymenko delivered a report. A Ukrainian MP, along with heads of district and city administrations and several National Guard servicemembers, were exposed for bribery. I am grateful to the anti-corruption agencies for… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 2, 2025 Zelensky said in a statement: 'I am grateful to the anti-corruption agencies for their work. 'It is important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently, and the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.' The president initially said he needed to bring the NABU and the SAP under his control because they were inefficient and under 'Russian influence'. But he did an about-face when confronted with the outcry – first serious political crisis since he took office six years ago. Several cases of corruption – an endemic problem in the country – have been exposed within the armed forces and the defence ministry during the war with Russia.
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
'A right, not a request': Australian state seeks to enshrine work from home in law
THE PREMIER OF the Australian state of Victoria has announced plans to enshrine working from home in law, saying it should be 'a right, not a request'. Under Jacinta Allan's plan, workers would be entitled to work from home at least two days per week, if the job allows. 'We're doing that because we know what the evidence tells us – workers are more productive, it saves time for families, it saves money for families,' Allan said, launching the proposed policy at the Australian Labor Party's state conference. 'This change will mean that any worker who can reasonably do their job from home has the right to do so for at least two days a week.' Advertisement Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Allan said the policy would now go out for consultation with workers, employers and unions. She said it was important to 'get the details of this important change right'. Allan said the move could save the average worker $110 a week, cut congestion on roads, and keep more women in the workforce. During national elections in May, the opposition Liberal-National coalition's plan to eliminate remote work was partly blamed for its poor performance. Victoria's opposition leader, Brad Battin, said work from home arrangements had been valuable, and that he supported measures that promote better work-life balance. The measure is likely to come before the state parliament next year. In Ireland, some large employers have shown resistance to the continuation of working from home years after the pandemic has subsided. Related Reads Unions push back on AIB's plan to roll back hybrid working freedoms for staff Ireland's 'right to request' remote work law is useless - it should be overhauled Remote working: Denis O'Brien reminded us of the outdated work practices we've left behind Last month, AIB staffwere told to return to their office for three days per week as the bank seeks to phase out its full-hybrid working practice. The Financial Services' Union has labelled the change 'regressive and without justification'. AIB told The Journal that it believes employees benefit from spending time with their team and colleagues, as in-person workdays leads to 'greater collaboration, connection and innovation'. It is the second bank to change its hybrid working models in recent weeks , after Bank of Ireland has requested its employees to return to the office for eight days each month.
