President Vladimir Putin said the truth about World War II is being distorted, paving the way for a resurgence of Nazi ideology
Russia has celebrated the 79th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II with a traditional military parade in Moscow’s Red Square involving thousands of troops and dozens of armored vehicles and warplanes. May 9 is considered to be the most revered national holiday in the country.
Here are the key events linked to the solemn occasion.
Only friends in Moscow
Russia did not invite officials or envoys representing “unfriendly” states to watch the parade amid tensions with the West, although this policy did not apply to veterans’ organizations, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Russian President Vladimir Putin therefore welcomed several leaders from former Soviet republics, as well as the presidents of Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, and Laos. Other guests included ambassadors and military attaches from friendly countries.
Military parade in May snowfall
Thousands of Russian troops from different branches of the military marched in Red Square as part of the traditional Victory Day parade, the first of which was held in June 1945 following the defeat and unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II.
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© Alexander NEMENOV/AFP
More than 9,000 troops, including veterans of the Ukraine conflict, took part in the event, followed by more than 70 armored vehicles, including an iconic T-34-85, the Red Army warhorse of WWII, as well as S-400 air defense systems and Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles. The parade was capped by a flyby featuring two groups of warplanes.