Russia held its 80th anniversary Victory Day parade on Friday early morning with a big military display screen on Red Square, as President Vladimir Putin welcomed a lineup of world leaders in a show of wartime defiance and worldwide support more than 3 years into the major intrusion of Ukraine.Nearly 30 world leaders attendedthe events in Moscow, which mark the Soviet Unions success over Nazi Germany in World War II.Among them were Chinas Xi Jinping, Brazils Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and Venezuelas Nicols Maduro, together with leaders of Russias standard allies in Central Asia.
Serbias Aleksandar Vui and Slovakias Robert Fico were the only European leaders present.Azerbaijans Ilham Aliyev and Laos Thongloun Sisoulith cancelled their journeys to Russia for Victory Day at the last minute.As the parade began, RussianDefense Minister Andrei Belousov welcomed columns of soldiers, breaking with his predecessor Sergei Shoigu, who now heads Russias Security Council, by participating in the Red Square event wearing a civilian suit and tie.A statement at the start of the parade stated over 11,000 soldiers from the Defense Ministry and other security services, consisting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and National Guard, marched in the parade.Another 1,500 servicemen who combated in the special military operation, the Kremlins authorities name for the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, made an appearance.Servicemen from friendly countries likewise took part in Fridays occasion, though no North Korean soldiers marched in the parade.
After the main celebration, Putin did meet with North Korean officers and thanked them for their aid in fighting Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.Does not include officials from Egypt, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Guinea-Bissau.
The Moscow TimesDuring his conventional Victory Day address, Putin knocked what he called efforts to slander the genuine winners of World War II, a possible reference to Ukrainian officials who have slammed Moscows annual parade, or even to U.S.
President Donald Trumps claim previously today that America did more than any other nation in producing a victorious result.Truth and justice are on our side.
The entire country our society, our people guarantee those taking part in the unique military operation, the Russian leader added.We are proud of their courage and decision, of the strength of spirit that has actually constantly brought us absolutely nothing but triumph, Putin said.
Russia will remain an invincible protector against those who support Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism.
In a nod to Xi, Putin likewise highlighted Chinas role in World War II, saying, Well always remember that opening the 2nd front brought success better, a referral to the Second Sino-Japanese Warbetween the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan.Unlike previous years, the Kremlin leader dedicated little bit of his speech on Friday to the ongoing war versus Ukraine and avoided direct condemnations of the West.
In his 2024 address, for instance, he criticizedWestern elites for revanchism and stoking local conflicts.After Putins speech, nearly 200 tanks, consisting of the WWII-era T-34, opened the mechanized area of the parade.
Various kinds of armored lorries, weapons systems, drones and infantry automobiles were likewise seen rolling across Red Square, followed by a flyover of fighter jets and bombers.No high-ranking U.S.
officials appeared to be present at the parade, as some had earlier speculated.
The Kremlin had actually said that the U.S.
Ambassador in Moscow Lynne Tracy was welcomed to go to, however it was not immediately clear if she accepted the invitation.The 80th anniversary parade followed Putin unilaterallyordereda ceasefire from midnight on May 8 through May 11 to coincide with the events.
Ukrainian officialsdismissed the proposal, calling rather for a 30-day ceasefire at first proposed by the United States in March.Both sides have accused each other of breaching the momentary truce.Despite the refined military display screen on Red Square, life in the Russian capital has been far from smooth in current days.
An extraordinary wave of Ukrainian drones over night on Tuesday grounded flights and interfered with air traffic at Moscows airports, stranding countless passengers.Major web blackouts have actually likewise been reported throughout the week as city authorities increase security ahead of Victory Day celebrations.Also, for the very first time, restaurants and stores near the parade path were bought to close, obviously due to concerns that they could be used as staging premises for battles.
Because the major intrusion of Ukraine, battle attacks have struck Moscow a number of times, most recently in the assassination of army general Yaroslav Moskalik on April 25.
Moscow, cities throughout Russia held their own Victory Day parades, consisting of St.
Petersburg, Vladivostok, Ulan-Ude, Novosibirsk, Yakutsk, Ufa, Kazan and others.
In significant cities, internet disturbances were reported amidst the celebrations.In the southwestern Belgorod region, authorities reported Ukrainian drone attacks against the local government building as May 9 ceremonies were practically to get underway.
Victory Day events would still occur regardless of the air attack, authorities said.A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are dealing with unprecedented obstacles.
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