Thousands of soldiers marched on Red Square.
(Photo: IMAGO/ITAR-TASS)
Moscow Overshadowed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the traditional military parade marking the 78th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany has begun in Moscow. Under high security, thousands of soldiers marched on Red Square on Tuesday in sunny spring weather.
The appearance of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin was awaited with particular excitement. In his speech, the Russian President accused the West of wanting to destroy Russia. “A real war is being waged against our Fatherland,” he claimed. The Western elite sows hatred and Russophobia. “They are trying to destroy our country.”
At the same time, Putin swears by the unity of the Russian population in the face of the war in Ukraine. “Everyone in the country is united to support our heroes.” Referring to the war waged against the neighboring country, he says: “We are proud of the participants in the military special operation in Ukraine.” There is nothing stronger than the love of Russians to the fatherland, the President continues.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine – and justifies it again and again with the unsubstantiated claim that the West threatened Russia. Even more than a year after the beginning of the war, until the very end in Moscow there was usually only talk of a “military special operation”.
According to official information, a total of more than 10,000 soldiers will march and 125 units of military technology will be shown. Contrary to what was originally announced, a number of foreign heads of state and government are now guests in the VIP gallery – namely from the ex-Soviet republics of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia.
Speculations about parade cancellation due to drone incident
Especially after a drone incident at the Kremlin, there has been repeated speculation over the past few days as to whether the parade will actually take place or whether it will be canceled for security reasons. On the night of last Wednesday, two drones penetrated the Kremlin premises.
A number of heads of state and government are also guests at the parade.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
They were able to be brought down by anti-aircraft defenses over the dome of the Senate Palace. Moscow holds Kiev responsible for the alleged attempted assassination of Putin. Ukraine rejects this and speaks of a Russian staging.
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