Russia has announced to the public about the availability of patriotic war song ringtones for free download in the hope of boosting morale for Victory Day. The "Horray for Victory" campaign is a propaganda strategy leading up to May 9, which was proposed in order to boost the patriotic spirit and the economy in Russia during its current recession.
It started Monday as Russia marked an official holiday known as "Defender of the Fatherland Day" honoring the country's military power. The organizing committee of the campaign announced that cell phone users will be able to text the number 1945 and at no additional cost, citizens can acquire one of the five memorable melodies of the five war song choices. The songs "Dark is the Knight", Farwell of Slavianka", "Victory Day", "Katyusha", and "Blue Scarf" were all made to keep the pride alive in Russia during World War II.
The Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported that visitors to the May 9 organizing committee's website will be able to listen to wartime news reports by the Soviet Information Bureau, the news agency set up in 1941, and "get acquainted with archival photographs and newsreels of the Great Patriotic War, vote for the best victory song, [and] watch [their] favorite movies about the war."
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Victory Day. The holiday was created in regards to the victory of the Soviet Union against Nazi Germany in the Second World War (otherwise known at the Great Patriotic War). May 9 is a day where the russian people exhibit their pride in their military strength. One person that is most prideful about Russia's armed forces is President Vladimir Putin.
In remark to the the upcoming celebration of the 70th anniversary, Putin stated (via business insider):
"No one should have the illusion that they can gain military superiority over Russia, put any kind of pressure on it. We will always have an adequate answer for any such adventures."