Photo/Illutration A rehearsal on May 4 for a military parade in Moscow to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the victory in the "Great Patriotic War." (Hitoki Nakagawa)

In the novel, "Doshi Shojyo-yo, Teki wo Ute" (Comrade girl, shoot the enemy), which won this year's Japan Booksellers' Award, the protagonist is a young woman whose idol and role model is Lyudmila Pavlichenko (1916-1974), a highly decorated Soviet sniper during World War II. 

Born in Ukraine, she enlisted in the Red Army and killed as many as 309 German soldiers, becoming arguably the most successful woman sniper in recorded history.

The Red Army's use of her name in its recruitment drive produced the anticipated result of the sniper training school luring eager young women, many of whom would die at the front.

After being injured in action, Pavlichenko toured Europe and the United States under Moscow's orders, acting as a public spokesperson for the Red Army.

Today, the homeland of this Soviet war hero is being trampled upon by none other than Russian forces.

Daily images arriving from Ukraine show many women soldiers. A woman, five months pregnant, was reportedly among the Ukrainian troops who were recently freed in a prisoner-exchange deal.

But many must be sustaining injuries or being killed, as is the case in the novel. It tears my heart out.

The Soviet Union called its war with Germany "the Great Patriotic War." The purpose was to drum up patriotism by reminding the public of Russia's "Patriotic War" against Napoleon I in the 19th century.

May 9, which is celebrated in remembrance of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany at a tremendous cost, is said to be Russia's most important holiday.

That date is now attracting the attention of the world.

Speculation is flying in Britain and the United States that Russia may officially declare war on Ukraine on May 9 and intensify its offensive.

A high-ranking Russian official has dismissed that notion out of hand as "nonsense," but how much can he be trusted?

Cease-fire negotiations, which raised our hopes for a while, have all but fizzled out since.

Is there not even a glimmer of hope anymore that Russian gunfire will cease on the nation's historic Victory Day?

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 6

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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