Russia’s Accelerating Return to Soviet Past – Key Dates under Vladimir Putin

Paul Goble

            Staunton, November 13 – Vladimir Putin’s restoration of many aspects of Soviet life is not only obvious but accelerating, as is clearly shown by a calendar of some but far from all of his most prominent decisions restoring Soviet symbols that “Profile” offers today (profile.ru/politika/item/101253-sovetskaya-antichnost-v-datakh-i-kartinkakh).

July 25, 2000 – Restoration of Soviet hymn as Russian anthem

July 4, 2003 – Red Stars return to banners of Russian Armed Forces

June 16, 2007 – Red banners with hammer and sickle restored for historical parades

May 9, 2008 – Military parades return to Red Square

January 25, 2012 – Red Stars again put on Russian military planes

January 31, 2013 – Volgograad becomes Stalingrad for holidays

January 29, 2013 – Hero of Labor restored as an award

March 24, 2014 – Ready for Labor and Defense Organization (GTO) restored

May 14, 2014 – All Russian Exhibition Center gets its Soviet-era name back (VDNKh)

June 4, 2014 – School uniforms reintroduced

October 29, 2015 – Russian Pupils’ Movement Created as updated version of Soviet Pioneers