Russian President Vladimir Putin Criticizes Ignoring Soviet Union’s Role in Liberating Nazi Death Camps
A Shameful Act, Says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken out against the decision to ignore the Soviet Union’s role in liberating Nazi German death camps such as Auschwitz and not inviting surviving family members of Soviet troops to liberation anniversaries. In an interview with Russian state television, Putin described the move as “such a strange, shameful thing to do.”
Ignoring the Soviet Union’s Contribution
Putin’s comments come as world leaders gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp in Poland by Soviet troops. The commemoration was attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Britain’s King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish President Andrzej Duda, among others. However, Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union, was not invited due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Call for Subtlety
Putin suggested that if the Soviet soldiers who took part in the liberation of the camps could not be invited due to health or age, then at least their families could have been invited to the events marking the anniversary of the liberation. He also called for more subtlety in the way the Soviet Union’s role in the liberation of the camps is recognized.
The Soviet Union’s Role in Liberating Death Camps
As Soviet forces pushed back Nazi troops in Europe in 1944 and 1945, they liberated a number of death camps including Majdanek, Auschwitz, Stutthof, Sachsenhausen, and Ravensbrück. U.S. troops liberated Buchenwald and other camps, while British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen and other camps.
The Horrors of the Holocaust
More than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, perished at Auschwitz in gas chambers or from starvation, cold, and disease. Poles, Roma and Sinti, and Soviet prisoners of war were also killed there, according to the Auschwitz museum. In all, between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered six million Jews across German-occupied Europe. The second-largest group of victims of Nazi racial policy after the Jews were Soviet prisoners of war, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Other Groups Killed by the Nazis
Other major groups killed by the Nazis included Soviet citizens, Poles, gypsies, sexual minorities, disabled people, and others who offended Nazi ideas of racial superiority.
International Criminal Court Warrant
The International Criminal Court has ordered a warrant for Putin’s arrest for war crimes in Ukraine. Russia denies the accusations, which Moscow says were made up to smear its image.
Conclusion
Putin’s comments highlight the ongoing controversy surrounding the Soviet Union’s role in the liberation of Nazi death camps. While the Soviet Union played a significant role in the liberation of these camps, its contribution is often overlooked or downplayed. The decision to ignore the Soviet Union’s role and not invite surviving family members of Soviet troops to liberation anniversaries is a shameful act that ignores the sacrifices made by Soviet soldiers and their families.
FAQs
Q: Why was Russia not invited to the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz?
A: Russia was not invited due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Q: What was the Soviet Union’s role in liberating Nazi death camps?
A: The Soviet Union liberated a number of death camps, including Majdanek, Auschwitz, Stutthof, Sachsenhausen, and Ravensbrück.
Q: How many people were killed at Auschwitz?
A: More than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, perished at Auschwitz in gas chambers or from starvation, cold, and disease.
Q: Who was the largest group of victims of Nazi racial policy?
A: The largest group of victims of Nazi racial policy was Jews, with six million killed across German-occupied Europe.