The most beautiful pictures of Victory Day. Happy 80th anniversary of the Great Victory!

In Russia, one of the most significant public holidays is traditionally celebrated on May 9 — Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. In 2025, the country celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. This memorable date is dedicated to the heroism and steadfastness of the Soviet soldiers who fought against Nazi Germany from June 1941 to May 1945. All over the country, those who gave their lives for a peaceful future are remembered. In honor of this event, Izvestia has prepared a series of postcards and congratulations on May 9th.

In addition, on the occasion of the anniversary of Izvestia, a special project "80 days to Victory" was launched. It publishes articles published during the war, the full list of which can be found in the electronic archive. A virtual museum dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory has also been created, featuring photographs of the war years and war heroes. Now you can also see them on media facades in different cities of Russia.

80 years of the Great Victory

The Great Patriotic War began on June 22, 1941. At dawn that day, Nazi Germany suddenly attacked the Soviet Union. The country was embroiled in a massive bloodshed that lasted 1,418 days and cost the lives of more than 20 million people.

The German Surrender Act was signed twice. The first time was on May 7 in Reims (France), where Major General Ivan Susloparov was present from the USSR. However, at the insistence of the Soviet leadership, the ceremony was repeated on May 8 in Berlin's Karlshorst district. This time, the act was signed by Marshal Georgy Zhukov, and at that moment it was May 9th in Moscow due to the time difference.

The decree granting May 9 the status of a public holiday was signed on the same evening, May 8, 1945. Soon the date became an official day off.

The first ever Victory Day Parade was held on June 24, 1945 on Red Square. He was received by Marshal Zhukov, commanded by Arshal Rokossovsky. The symbolic culmination was the throwing of fascist standards at the foot of the Mausoleum as a sign of the final victory over Nazism.

In honor of the Victory anniversary, Izvestia created postcards that will help express respect, gratitude and preserve the memory of the heroic deed of the Soviet people.

"Let May 9th sound like spring,
Like a song, like a memory, like the price of life.
Let there be smiles, and light, and dreams —
So that there will be no more trouble in the world";

"Happy Victory Day!
I remember with my heart, I don't forget.
Let there be peace without war,
The days will be full of happiness";

The last blow: how Soviet troops took Berlin

80 years ago, the final battle of World War II began in Europe

Heartfelt postcards and greetings from May 9, 2025

Victory Day is not just a public holiday, but a day of remembrance, pride and gratitude to the generation that survived the terrible war. First of all, congratulations are addressed to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, home front workers, war children and those whose relatives participated in the fighting.

Even if there are no living participants of those events nearby, May 9 is an occasion to express gratitude to all those who contributed to the Victory. Congratulations can be either personal in the form of a call, meeting, letter, or postcard, or more public — for example, on social networks, at events, or in school and work groups.

It is very important to avoid formality and cliches: simple sincere words of gratitude and respect mean the most. We must not forget that for many this day is not only a holiday, but also a mourning for the dead.

"I cordially congratulate you on May 9th, the day of pride, sorrow and gratitude. Today we bow our heads before the feat of millions of Soviet people, before their courage, self-sacrifice and love for the Motherland. May there always be a peaceful sky in our homes, and may the memory of those who made this possible be in our hearts.";

"Happy Victory Day! Today we remember the great feat and thank those who fought, who survived, and who died so that we could have a peaceful sky and freedom. May your hearts be full of pride for your country and respect for its history. I wish you good health, warmth and peace in every home.";

"Victory Day is a celebration of strength,
A celebration of courage and love.
Let the lights burn in our hearts
Memory, dreams, spring";

"Congratulations on the great holiday — Victory Day! This day unites us all, because there is not a single family that has not been affected by the war. I wish you to always be proud of our heroes and the world they fought for.";

"Happy Victory Day! Let this holiday be a reminder that the true values are peace, family, mutual assistance and the memory of the past. May there be warmth and peace in every home, and gratitude in my soul for everything that the heroes of that war gave us."

"Thank you, dear veterans,
For your great and bright feat!
For the fanfare in May,
For peace, for life, for the silence of dawn";

"You forged Victory in battles,
We went on through hell and ashes.
And eternal memory for that
He lives carefully in the hearts of his descendants.";

"Let it always resound in our hearts
A song of peace and labor.
Happy Victory Day,
We keep and glorify the bright memory!";

"There are scarlet carnations on the streets,
In the eyes of the grandfathers, there is a gray light.
Victory Day is a memory
Those who went into battle for us."