Russia holds parade marking 81st anniversary of victory over fascism

Russia held a military parade in Red Square to commemorate Victory Day, scaled down from previous years and notably without mechanized vehicle formations.

Russia marked the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany, which concluded the Great Patriotic War, with a Victory Day Parade in Moscow's Red Square on 9/5. The event was significantly scaled down from previous years, with the Russian Defense Ministry citing "the current operational situation" as the reason for the unprecedented absence of mechanized military hardware.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony, joined by leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. At 10 a.m. Moscow time (2 p.m. Hanoi time), the clock chimes on Red Square signaled the start of the event.

The Russian Federation flag and the Victory Banner were carried into the square. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, riding in an open-top vehicle, received reports from the parade commander, army commander Andrey Mordvichev. Minister Belousov then reviewed the marching contingents, which included North Korean soldiers involved in operations to repel Ukrainian forces from the border province of Kursk, before proceeding to the central grandstand to report to President Putin.

Tong thong Nga Vladimir Putin phat bieu tai le Duyet binh Chien thang o Moskva hom 9/5. Anh: Reuters

In an 8-minute speech, President Putin declared that the country's army would achieve victory in the conflict with Ukraine. "The feats of the victorious generation have inspired soldiers currently carrying out their mission in the special military operation," he said, referring to Russia's term for the conflict in Ukraine. "They are confronting a force supported and armed by the NATO bloc. Despite this, they continue to advance."

Cac khoi quan nhan dieu hanh tai Quang truong Do hom 9/5. Video: Zvezda

Images of military hardware were displayed on screens in the square, including the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine, the Su-57 stealth fighter, the S-500 air defense system, drones, and artillery.

The parade then commenced, led by commander Mordvichev. Military personnel, including some Russian soldiers who have participated in the conflict with Ukraine and North Korean soldiers, marched past the reviewing stand.

The event concluded with an air parade. Su-35 and MiG-29 fighters from the Russian Knights and Swifts teams formed the "Kubinka Diamond" flight formation. Six Su-25 combat aircraft then released colored smoke, creating the Russian flag in the sky above the square.

Man duyet binh tren khong tai Quang truong Do hom 9/5. Video: RIA Novosti

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there were no attempts to disrupt Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. "No one tried to do anything, everything was fine," he said.

Russia and Ukraine had previously agreed to a ceasefire from 9-11/5, mediated by US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had ordered his military not to target Red Square on 9/5.