Episode description

Vladimir Putin has been sworn in as Russia's president for a new six-year term, just days before Russia’s annual Victory Day military parade on 9 May.

But why does this annual event, marking victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, matter so much to Russia now?

We speak to Alexander Goncharov a former Russian military officer, who’s now head of the World War Two veterans organisation in Moscow.

And we discuss Victory Day’s symbolism with Russia editor Steve Rosenberg and Patricia Lewis from Chatham House.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Charlie Henry and Arsenii Sokolov. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

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