The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Leonidovich Podelyshev, has called for the preservation of historical truth and greater global responsibility in interpreting the legacy of the Second World War, as Russia commemorates the 81st anniversary of Victory Day.
Speaking during an event marking the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War in Abuja on Tuesday , Podelyshev described May 9 as a deeply personal and symbolic date for Russian citizens, noting that nearly every family in the former Soviet Union has a story tied to the war.
He emphasized the immense human cost of the conflict, referencing the suffering of soldiers, civilians, and victims of atrocities, including those affected by events such as the Siege of Leningrad.
According to the ambassador, the victory over Nazi Germany not only ended one of the deadliest conflicts in human history but also laid the foundation for the modern international system.
He pointed to the establishment of the United Nations and the development of international legal principles following the war, including those shaped by the Nuremberg Trials.
Podelyshev, however, expressed concern over what he described as increasing attempts in some countries to reinterpret the history of World War II.
Podelyshev warned against narratives that, in his view, diminish the role of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazism or equate it with Nazi Germany.
The ambassador also criticized the removal of Soviet-era memorials in parts of Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, as well as the recognition of controversial historical figures such as Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych, whom he accused of collaboration with Nazi forces.
He further referenced historical tragedies including the Volhynia massacres to underscore the importance of what he described as an objective understanding of wartime events.
“Victory Day is not only a day of remembrance but also a day of responsibility,” he said, stressing the need to preserve historical memory and prevent its distortion for political purposes.
Abuja Times reports that the event formed part of Russia’s annual global commemoration of Victory Day, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 and honors the sacrifices of millions during the war.