Alexander Ustinov, who was a photojournalist and a war correspondent during the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany in 1941-1945, wrote:
"On the night of 9 May 1945, the citizens of Moscow did not sleep. At 2:00 a.m. the radio announced that an important announcement will be made. At 2:10 a.m. Yuri Levitan read the German Instrument of Surrender and the Decree of the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium on declaring May 9 the Day of a national holiday – the Holiday of Victory. People ran out of their houses onto the streets… and congratulated each other on the long-awaited victory. Banners appeared. More and more people were gathering, they moved towards Red Square. A spontaneous demonstration began. Joyful faces, songs, dances to the accompaniment of an accordion. In the evening a salute was fired: thirty salvos from thousands of guns in honour of the Great Victory."
Check out Sputnik's photo gallery to feel the happiness of the Soviet people during Victory Day celebrations 75 years ago.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Runov / Go to the mediabankVictory Day celebrations near the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow
Victory Day celebrations near the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow
© Sputnik / Mikhail Ozerskiy / Go to the mediabankPeople celebrate victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)
People celebrate victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)
© Sputnik / Mikhail OzerskiyMuscovites are throwing an officer into the air as they celebrate Victory Day on 9 May 1945 on Red Square
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© Sputnik / Mikhail Ozerskiy
Muscovites are throwing an officer into the air as they celebrate Victory Day on 9 May 1945 on Red Square
Victory Day morning on 9 May 1945 on Red Square
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninOutside the US embassy in Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Outside the US embassy in Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Mikhail OzerskiyVictory Day celebrations on Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Mikhail Ozerskiy
Victory Day celebrations on Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninVictory Day salute in Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Victory Day salute in Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Alexander KrasavinCrowds on Red Square celebrate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)
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© Sputnik / Alexander Krasavin
Crowds on Red Square celebrate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)
© Sputnik / Mikhail OzerskiyWomen dance during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Mikhail Ozerskiy
Women dance during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninDuring a meeting with American allies in central Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
During a meeting with American allies in central Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninVictory Day parade on Red Square on 24 June 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Victory Day parade on Red Square on 24 June 1945
Morning on Red Square on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninPianist Nina Yemelyanova performs on Mayakovsky Square in central Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Pianist Nina Yemelyanova performs on Mayakovsky Square in central Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Alexander KrasavinCameramen arrive on Red Square during Victory Day celebrations on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Alexander Krasavin
Cameramen arrive on Red Square during Victory Day celebrations on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy GaraninMuscovites on Gorky street (now Tverskaya) on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin
Muscovites on Gorky street (now Tverskaya) on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Aleksander Krasavin / Go to the mediabankPeople walk on Red Square during Victory Day celebrations on 9 May 1945
People walk on Red Square during Victory Day celebrations on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin / Go to the mediabankNear the US embassy on Mokhovaya street in Moscow on 9 May 1945
Near the US embassy on Mokhovaya street in Moscow on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Aleksander Krasavin / Go to the mediabankPhoto correspondent Alexander Krasavin on Red Square 9 May 1945
Photo correspondent Alexander Krasavin on Red Square 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Yakov Khalip / Go to the mediabankMuscovites celebrate Victory Day on Red Square on 9 May 1945
Muscovites celebrate Victory Day on Red Square on 9 May 1945
© Sputnik / Boris KudoyarovCrowds celebrate Victory Day as salute lights up the sky over Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 1945
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© Sputnik / Boris Kudoyarov
Crowds celebrate Victory Day as salute lights up the sky over Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 1945