War in Ukraine longer than German-Soviet War
On Monday, Russia's war in Ukraine reached day 1,418. Putin's 'special military operation' against its neighbour, which began on 24 February 2022, has now lasted longer than the ‘Great Patriotic War’ - this is how the German-Soviet War during WWII between June 1941 to May 1945 is referred to in Russia.
This raises difficult questions
Polityka is convinced that exceeding 1,418 days of war will lead to discussions in Russia:
“Stalin defeated the Third Reich after enormous sacrifices, but he managed to do so within 1,418 days, between 22 June 1941 and 9 May 1945. Putin, on the other hand, has not even managed to defeat Ukraine within 1,418 days. ... In Poland, we are not conscious of this, but in Russia there is a powerful cult surrounding the Great Patriotic War. The number '1,418' is part of this; it is a symbol of victory, endeavour and enormous sacrifice. ... Exceeding this magic number of days, which is deeply rooted in the collective consciousness, will raise difficult questions in Russia. Not only among ordinary people, but also among officials.”
Embarrassing outcome for Putin
Putin is making far fewer comparisons with the past, writes Die Zeit columnist Michael Thumann:
“In 1,418 days, the Red Army managed to cover 3,000 kilometres from Stalingrad and the North Caucasus to Berlin and Vienna. And that was in a defensive war against an army of equal strength. In 1,418 days, Putin has only managed to advance from Donetsk to Pokrovsk against an army that is much smaller in terms of equipment and soldiers. That's about 80 kilometres. ... But Putin has no intention of ending the campaign after 1,418 days. ... At least he no longer makes grandiose comparisons with the Great Patriotic War, in whose historical lineage Putin liked to place his struggle from 2022 onwards. That just seems embarrassing now.”
No eternal truths this time
In Novaya Gazeta, journalist Yelena Panfilova compares Putin's "special operation" to the moral legacy of the Second World War:
“Ever since my childhood, the idea had become ingrained in my subconscious that the war from which my two grandfathers did not return was not only 'great' and 'patriotic', but also enormous and endless. And terrible. That's how my grandmothers told it. That's what was written in schoolbooks. It wasn't just how people perceived it, it was an irrefutable truth. And now, what it was promised would be a simple 'operation' has suddenly become something far more protracted and, in perspective, frighteningly endless. ... We are facing a future in which current generations must cope with having nowhere to draw lessons and skills from.”
Long enough to shape a generation
In a Facebook post, historian Ivan Kurilla expresses concern about Russia's young people who are coming of age during this war:
“ In comments, the Great Northern War, which lasted 21 years [1700-1721], is being cited as a new benchmark. Aside from the daily death and destruction, an entire generation is growing up under conditions of war. I was 18 when Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union and his six years in power were an important time for my coming of age and developing my views. ... How will this generation, which is growing up under conditions of war, repression and shameless propaganda, turn out? Rebellious or cynical? And what will they do once the war is over?”