An annual parade was held here Monday at the downtown Red Square to celebrate the 71th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, Russia’s term for World War II (WWII).
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“Comrades, history lessons teach us that peace on Earth is not established by itself; that one needs to be cautious; that double standards as well as shortsighted indulgence of those who nurture criminal plans are impermissible”, said Russian President Vladimir Putin in his opening remarks today.
But the parades have taken on new significance under Mr Putin, who has used them to showcase Russia’s military revival and renewed national pride after the chaos of the ’90s.
Other commorative events have been held across Russian Federation on Victory Day, which is the country’s biggest annual holiday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in a huge rally in the Russian capital Monday to commemorate the end of World War Two and the millions of Soviet citizens who died fighting Nazi Germany.
Belgian police has launched large-scale raids in Brussels in search for suspects involved in March 22 morning attacks, which claimed the lives of at least 31 people and left hundreds injured.
After a welcoming speech by Commander of the Russian Air Task Force in Syria Colonel-General Alexander Dvornikov reviewing the parade, the parade participants performed the Russian anthem. “We must defeat this evil; Russian Federation is open to joining efforts with all states and is ready to work on creating a modern, non-aligned system of global security”, he added.
Su-25 fighters participate in the rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2016.
Hitler’s Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941.
Victory Day celebrations have been held almost every year since the 20th anniversary of the Russian victory in 1965.
A Ukrainian WWII veteran carrying flowers walks past the bronze monument at the World War II museum complex in Kiev, Ukraine, May 9, 2016.
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Through commemorative events, the notions of self-defense and national security are being exalted in Russian Federation as the country is still suffering from an economic downturn amid Western sanctions imposed over Russia’s role in the Ukraine crisis.
