Like cities across Russia, Victory Park in Ulan-Ude throngs with families admiring Russian mechanized artillery on May 9th, the day Russia celebrates victory over the Nazi regime. Smiling young soldiers help children onto weapons systems. Patriotism runs high with festive hymns, speeches, and military parades glorifying Russia's strength. Watching the future of the city cavort on death machines haunts the mind, when one considers the USSR's losses in WW II; 26 million souls.