Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a military parade in central Moscow’s Red Square to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9, 2022. (Kremlin photo)

Russia holds military parade to mark V-Day

MOSCOW (Xinhua) -- Russia held a grand military parade in central Moscow’s Red Square on Monday to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War.
In an address to troops and guests ahead of the annual event, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “it is our duty to keep the memory of those who crushed Nazism and bequeathed vigilance to us, and do everything so that the horror of a global war does not happen again.”
Before Putin’s speech, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in a black open-top limousine, reviewed the troops lined up on Red Square and wished them a happy Victory Day. The troops in full dress chanted “Hooray!” in reply.
About 11,000 soldiers in 33 formations marched across Red Square, followed by a mechanised convoy of 131 modern weapons and military equipment.
The ceremony lasted about one hour, and the aviation part of the parade was canceled due to weather conditions.
After the parade, Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden outside the Kremlin wall.
Military parades were held in 28 Russian cities to mark the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) against Nazi Germany, an integral part of World War II. The Soviet Union lost roughly 27 million people, both soldiers and civilians, according to official statistics.

(Latest Update May 10, 2022)