Moscow marks wartime defeat of Nazi forces at virus-hit celebration
THE MIGHT of the Russian military was on display on Red Square in Moscow yesterday to mark the 75th anniversary of the defeat of German forces.
Victory Day, marking the defeat during the Second World War, is Russia’s most important secular holiday, and is traditionally celebrated on May 9.
But the military parade in the famous Red Square in the Russian capital marking this year’s landmark anniversary was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and was held yesterday.
Despite a significant coronavirus outbreak in Moscow, more than 14,000 troops, 200 armoured vehicles and 75 aircraft took part in the celebration. Representatives from 13 other countries were also present for the parade.
Russian president Vladimir Putin also marked the date of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union by meeting with veterans and visiting a new military church.
Mr Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall and greeted Second World War veterans.
He also visited the newly-built main cathedral of the Russian military on Moscow’s western outskirts.
Nazi Germany invaded the USSR on June 22, 1941, starting nearly four years of fighting that killed 27 million Soviet people and left the western part of the country in ruins.
“It was a terrible and massive tragedy that claimed millions of lives, leaving behind devastation and irreparable pain of loss, deep never-healing wounds,” Mr Putin said, addressing soldiers outside the cathedral.
The parade took place on the eve of a vote on constitutional changes that, if passed, will allow Mr Putin to carry on with two more six-year presidential terms if re-elected.
Current law bars him from seeking re-election when his term ends in 2024.