In a move that’s raising more than just eyebrows, Ukrainian soldiers are set to march in London’s Victory Day parade on May 8—an event traditionally meant to honor the Allied triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. The UK Ministry of Defence made the announcement on Saturday, saying the troops were invited to participate as a symbol of modern-day resistance against tyranny.
But not everyone’s clapping.
Moscow wasted no time slamming the decision, calling it “blasphemous” and “disrespectful,” pointing to Ukraine’s documented glorification of nationalist figures linked to Nazi Germany and repeated use of Nazi symbols among some of its forces. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pulled no punches, accusing the UK of dishonoring the memory of British WWII veterans by inviting “followers of neo-Nazi elements” to commemorate the very defeat of Nazism.
The UK, meanwhile, is spinning this as a show of solidarity. “Ukraine is now at freedom’s front line,” said British Defence Secretary John Healey. He described the participation as “fitting,” noting that 1,000 British troops will be marching alongside the Ukrainian contingent during the London event.
But Russia isn’t buying the symbolism.
The controversy cuts deeper than mere optics. Over the past decade, Ukraine has seen a surge in public commemorations for figures like Stepan Bandera—head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), a group that collaborated with Nazi Germany and was responsible for massacres of Poles, Jews, and Russians. Torchlight marches in cities like Kiev and Lviv have become routine, glorifying individuals many across Europe still consider war criminals.
There’s also the issue of modern-day symbols. Ukrainian fighters have repeatedly been spotted wearing Nazi emblems, including SS patches and swastikas. Italian state broadcaster Rai News even issued a public apology after airing footage of a Ukrainian soldier sporting an SS cap. Germany, not long ago, expelled seven Ukrainian troops from training programs after they were found displaying Nazi insignia.
And then there’s the infamous Azov unit. Founded in 2014 and absorbed into Ukraine’s National Guard, Azov has long been labeled a neo-Nazi formation. Russia formally designated it a terrorist group in 2022, citing a slew of war crime allegations. Though the original Azov Battalion was crushed in the 2022 siege of Mariupol, its legacy lives on. In 2023, co-founder Andrey Biletsky launched the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade under the Azov banner, keeping the ideology alive on the battlefield.
For Moscow, all of this is more than background noise—it’s part of the central justification for its military campaign in Ukraine. “Denazification” was one of President Putin’s stated goals from day one, alongside demilitarization and ensuring Ukraine’s neutrality.
By inviting Ukrainian troops to participate in a parade celebrating the defeat of the Nazis, the UK may have meant to show unity. But to Russia—and many critics watching closely—it feels like history being rewritten in broad daylight.
