A protest in Prague greets the Russian nationalist biker gang The Night Wolves.

In Moscow, Russia marks the 71st anniversary of the end of World War II.

And in Europe, Russia attempts to use the war as an instrument of the Kremlin’s soft power.

On this week’s Power Vertical Briefing, we look at how the Kremlin is using the memory of World War II as a legitimizing myth at home and as soft power abroad.

Joining me is Pavel Butorin, managing editor of RFE/RL’s Russian language television program Current Time.

Enjoy…

NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears every Monday.