Russia’s annual Victory Day parade is underway in Moscow with thousands of servicemen and weapons marching past Russian President Vladimir Putin, his top military officials and allies.
The sun shone in Moscow today for the event marking the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. It is one of the most important days in the Russian public calendar and an occasion for Moscow to display his military pomp, as well as his military equipment.
The VE Day parade sees Putin and other allied heads of state, along with servicemen and war veterans, watch massive missile launchers, battle tanks and troops parade through the Square Capital Red.
This year is expected to be a lesser affair, however, with the ongoing war in Ukraine involving much of Russian military personnel and security concerns high on the Kremlin’s watch list this year, especially after a recent alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
Victory Day parades have been canceled in a number of regions and cities across Russia due to these security concerns, and the traditional aerial display was not held in Moscow today. Nevertheless, more than 10,000 people and 125 units of arms and military equipment are said to have participated in the parade.
Addressing the crowd at this year’s event, Putin called the war on Ukraine a war for Russia’s survival and future, saying in a speech that a ‘real war’ was being fought against Russia, a country that launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago. .
Here is a preview of the parade as it unfolds:
Putin addresses the Victory Day parade
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the Victory Day military parade.
Gavriil Grigorov | AFP | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a 10-minute speech at the 2023 Victory Day Parade in which he said Russia wants a peaceful future but “Western elites” are “sowing hatred and Russophobia”.
Gavriil Grigorov | AFP | Getty Images
The president watches, surrounded by allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin is surrounded by military figures and heads of state from former Soviet republics at the event.
Gavriil Grigorov | AFP | Getty Images
Russian military personnel, equipment on parade
Victory Day is an opportunity for Moscow to show off its military personnel. Here, ceremonial soldiers parade in Moscow on May 09, 2023.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The jewel in the crown of Russian military equipment, the RS-24 Yars system is one of the elements of the kit presented during the Victory Day parade. The Russian-made mobile nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile has a reported range of 12,000 kilometers, or 7,500 miles.
Sopa Pictures | Light flare | Getty Images
The VPK-7829 Bumerang, a Russian modular amphibious wheeled infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier, is seen in central Moscow during a dress rehearsal for the Victory Day parade.
Sopa Pictures | Light flare | Getty Images
The audience watches
People watch military equipment move along the garden ring road after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2023.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
A commuter on the subway watches a live broadcast of the Victory Day military parade.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
The big day begins
Russian servicemen arrive to take part in the Victory Day military parade, which will be held in Red Square in central Moscow on May 9, 2023.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
A Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) soldier stands guard on an embankment of the Moskva River opposite the Kremlin on the morning of the Victory Day military parade.
Alexander Nemenov | AFP | Getty Images
Russian Cossacks arrive to take part in the Victory Day military parade.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | AFP | Getty Images
Russian troops rehearsing for Victory Day
Russian soldiers during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2023.
Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images
An iron hand
Russian army cadets compete during the dress rehearsal for the Victory Parade in Palace Square in Moscow.
Sopa Pictures | Light flare | Getty Images
[colabot2]
Source link