Eighty years after the end of World War II, Russia will mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 with a traditional military parade on Red Square today, DPA reports, BTA reports.
It will be the fourth parade since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and this time thousands of soldiers and heavy military equipment will take part. Security measures are significantly tighter than usual due to warnings from Ukraine that it will not respect the unilateral ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin.
In his speech, Putin is expected to once again justify Russia's actions in Ukraine - one of the reasons Western leaders are absent from the celebrations this year. The exception is Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is the only representative of a country from the European Union and NATO expected in Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is also attending the event.
According to media reports, the parade will involve about 10,000 military personnel, including soldiers from various countries and Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine. Tanks, air defense systems and missile systems will be demonstrated, as well as a traditional flyover of Russian fighter jets.
Putin's most important international guest this year is Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the Kremlin, the leaders of Brazil, Cuba, Laos, as well as allied countries from the former Soviet Union: Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will also stand on the podium with the Russian leader.