The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, has called for stronger global efforts to preserve the historical truth of the Second World War and the events surrounding the 1945 Victory over Nazi Germany.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja ahead of the 81st anniversary of Victory Day on May 9, the envoy said the day remains deeply personal for Russian families, noting that almost every household has wartime history tied to soldiers, civilians, and victims of the conflict.
Podelyshev stressed that Victory over Nazism shaped the modern international order, leading to the formation of the United Nations and the establishment of global principles against genocide, aggression, and discrimination.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as growing attempts in some countries to “reinterpret historical truth,” saying there are efforts to downplay the role of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany while glorifying individuals and groups linked to wartime atrocities.
He said, “This year, we mark the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. May 9 holds a special place not only in the historical memory of the peoples of the former Soviet Union, but also in the global political and moral calendar of humanity. It is a day that symbolizes the end of the most destructive and bloodiest war in history — the Second World War — and, at the same time, the triumph over the ideology of Nazism and racial hatred.
“In a number of countries, we are witnessing attempts to revise the results of the Second World War, to diminish the decisive role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of Nazism and, in some cases, to openly glorify those who collaborated with the Nazi regime.”
The ambassador also alleged that monuments to Soviet soldiers are being removed in some parts of Europe, while controversial wartime figures are being celebrated, warning that such actions distort historical memory and threaten international understanding.
He further said Russia now legally recognises Nazi atrocities during the war as genocide against the Soviet people, adding that the country has introduced laws to criminalise the denial or justification of such crimes.
Podelyshev also referenced a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in 2025 against the glorification of Nazism, noting that Nigeria supported the document as a co sponsor.
He said protecting the memory of the war is not only a moral responsibility but also essential for global peace and security, warning that distortion of history could weaken trust among nations.
