Russia celebrated the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II in a massive military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
President Vladimir Putin was present along with foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, a “Victory Day” spectacle celebrated on May 9th, and Brazilian President Louis Inacio da da Silva.
Parades and other rituals project their global powers and highlight Moscow’s efforts to strengthen the alliances they have built while seeking offsetting to the West amid the Ukrainian conflict dragged into their fourth year.
The battle with the Nazis in World War II, known in Russia as the great patriotic war in Russia, is a rare event in the country’s divisive history under the communist rule, which is respected by all political groups. Putin uses that sentiment to encourage national pride and emphasizes Russia’s status as a global force.
The Soviet Union lost 27 million people as they fought the Germans from 1941-45.
Speaking at the parade, President Putin welcomed the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, saying, “We are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual strength that has always brought us victory.”
The event featured at least 11,500 soldiers and over 180 military vehicles, including tanks, armored infantry and artillery used on the Ukrainian battlefields. As a reminder of Russian nuclear power, YARS launchers were lying across the red square.
The fighter planes of the Air Force’s aerobatic team flew in close formation, followed by jets chasing smoke in the colour of the national flag.
After the show, Putin shook hands with a Russian military officer. He also watched the parade and spoke to a group of medal-bedecked North Korean officers who hugged one of them.
Last month, Putin thanked North Korea for fighting alongside the Russian forces with the Ukrainian forces, and welcomed their sacrifices as Pyongyang was the first to confirm their deployment.
Putin had declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire from May 8 to coincide with the celebration of victory day, but warned that Russian forces would retaliate against any attack.
The event was hidden by a Ukrainian drone attack targeting serious disruptions at airports in Moscow and the capital.
Russian flag airline Aeroflot on Wednesday morning cancelled 100 flights round-trip with Moscow, delaying at least 140 people as the troops repeatedly repelled Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital.
Russian authorities were reported in electronic measures aimed at strengthening security and stopping further drone attacks ahead of the parade and mobile phone internet outage.
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