• Putin renames Volgograd International Airport to its historical name, Stalingrad.
• The renaming commemorates the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War.
• This change is seen as politically charged amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
• The decision highlights Stalin's divisive legacy as Russia honors WWII history.
• Veterans have reportedly influenced this symbolic renaming decision.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially renamed the international airport in Volgograd to its historical name of Stalingrad. The decree, aimed at "perpetuating the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945," underscores the historical significance of the Stalingrad name, which was in use from 1925 until 1961, when de-Stalinization efforts changed it to Volgograd, according to Reuters, aa, and TRT Global.

The renaming occurs just ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, a prominent holiday in Russia commemorating Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. Putin's visit to Volgograd included discussions with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which further connects this event to broader political narratives in the region, according to aa and TRT Global.

The decision has deeper implications as it reflects a resurgence of Soviet pride amid current military conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. Putin has framed this military engagement as a fight against "neo-Nazism," drawing historical parallels back to the fight against Nazi Germany, thereby romanticizing wartime narratives to support his agenda, as noted by TRT Global and Reuters.

The airport renaming serves as a significant symbol while avoiding the broader implications of renaming the city itself. Public polls indicate that many residents oppose reverting Volgograd back to Stalingrad, which suggests that the Russian government is cautiously navigating the space between revering historic military achievements and addressing contemporary sentiments around Stalin's controversial legacy, according to TRT Global and aa.

This strategic renaming aligns with prior temporary commemorations of Stalingrad and reflects ongoing efforts to continuously acknowledge Soviet history while reasserting nationalistic themes within modern Russian society. The airport's renaming, thus, encapsulates a blend of political maneuvering, historical commemoration, and contemporary military rhetoric as Russia navigates its identity in a complex geopolitical landscape, according to Reuters and TRT Global.