Today, Russia celebrated the 70th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat with the nation’s biggest Victory Day parade since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Much more importantly, however, a Russian circus observed the holiday by dressing up two Baikal seals as Soviet-era soldiers, giving us this wonderful, wonderful video.

“Despite the fact that the Weasel - a girl, and Pooh - boy, the hardships they suffer the same service. Bravely and courageously,” reports Russia-1 via Google Translate. “Hats worn. It was difficult for them.”

Jingoism and circuses are very bad, but these pictures are very good. Is paradox, no?

[Images via Russia-1/YouTube//h/t @ASLuhn]