Russia marked the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II with a military parade on Red Square in Moscow.
Few other countries mark the end of World War II with the same degree of fanfare as Russia, for which the victory over Nazi Germany 80 years ago remains a source of immense pride and a defining moment of history.
The Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square was attended by leaders of 27 foreign states, among them China’s President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, war veterans, guests and foreign leaders watched the parade from the central reviewing stand on Red Square.
Russian Defense Minister, Andrey Belousov reviewed the parade, which was commanded by Ground Forces Commander-in-Chief General of the Army Oleg Salyukov.
Last year, Russia’s Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square involved over 9,000 troops, 61 weapons systems and 15 combat aircraft.
This year, the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square involved over 11,000 troops, including 1,500 combatants of the special military operation and 183 WWII and advanced weapons systems.
This year, parade units from 13 countries took part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
Victory Day, celebrated on 9 May, is Russia’s most important secular holiday, reflecting its wartime sacrifice.
It is also used by the Kremlin to boost patriotism and regain the superpower prestige it lost when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Putin Addresses Victory Day Parade
Russian President, Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the Victory Day parade in Moscow.
He spoke of “joy and sadness, of pride and gratitude … to the generation that crushed the nazism at the cost of millions of lives.”
He also talked that Russia will “never agree” to events of the second world war “being distorted,” as he vowed to defend the dignity of the Russian army and always stand to “nazism, to Russophobia, to antisemitism.”
In a nod to Xi Jinping in the stands, Putin also made a pointed reference to not only Russian military successes and the contribution of the allied forces, but also “the courageous people of China” specifically.
In his address at the parade marking the 80th anniversary of Victory, Putin noted that Russia’s unity will continue to serve as a pillar of strength for the country in both military and peaceful endeavors, as well as in the pursuit of its strategic objectives.
He honored the memory of all who gave their lives for victory in “the Great Patriotic War.”
“We bow our heads in memory of all those who gave their lives for Victory. In memory of the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends.
“We bow our heads in reverence to our fallen comrades, who died a hero’s death in the righteous battle for Russia.”
Vladimir Putin
Additionally, Putin stated that the veterans of the “Great Patriotic War” will continue to serve as a moral compass for Russia, as will their profound love for the Motherland and their determination to defend their homeland.
“We will continue to look to our veterans as an example – to their heartfelt love for the Motherland, to their unwavering resolve to defend their homes, and to their steadfast commitment to the values of humanism and justice.”
Vladimir Putin
Concluding his address at the parade, Putin congratulated all Russians on Victory Day and proclaimed glory to the victorious nation. “Glory to the victorious nation! Congratulations on this holiday, on the Day of the Great Victory!” he declared.
In stark contrast, the Moscow parade took place on the same day as many European foreign ministers make a symbolic visit to Ukraine instead to announce another round of support for the country and the creation of a new International Tribunal for the Punishment of War Crimes and the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
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