Russia on Saturday held a final rehearsal of the annual parade marking the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. The exercise is being seen as a demonstration of military might in the wake of Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine. Thousands of Russian troops marched on Moscow’s Red Square with tanks, armored vehicles, and missile launchers to mark the 7th anniversary of what Russia called the Great Patriotic War. The Victory Day parade will be held on Monday, the third month of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, despite the prediction of a quick victory. News from AFP.
The parade became an annual event after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the beginning of President Vladimir Putin’s two decades in power. Like every year, Putin will address the parade. Some Western officials have said he could declare an all-out war against Ukraine or a nationwide rally. However, the Kremlin has dismissed such statements as “nonsense.”
Since sending troops to Ukraine on February 24, Russia has said it is conducting a “special military operation” to “liberate” the country. The word Nazism-free was introduced by Russia, the successor to the Soviet Union. Russia lost 20 million people in the war against Nazi Germany.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, six aircraft will take part in the flypast, including the rare IL-60 Doomsday aircraft capable of repelling a nuclear attack. The Kremlin said no foreign leader had been invited to attend the parade.
Also, on May 9 each year, small parades are held in dozens of cities across the country, and so-called “Immortal Regiment” processions are held, with people carrying pictures of veterans or family members of soldiers killed in battle. This year, participants in the procession were also encouraged to bring pictures of people killed in the Ukraine war.
