Russia Holds Red Square Parade to Commemorate the 81st Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, May 9 (Reporter Huang He) - Russia held a military parade in Red Square, Moscow, on the 9th to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Putin attended the parade and delivered a speech. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu and the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Ground Forces, General Mordvichev, reviewed the troops from a vehicle.

In his speech, Putin stated that this year marks the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War. He called for the eternal remembrance of the heroism displayed by the Soviet people.

Putin also mentioned that the soldiers participating in the special military operation are fighting against "aggressive forces equipped and supported by the entire NATO," yet they continue to advance.

During the parade, a formation composed of North Korean soldiers marched across Red Square for inspection. Members of the "Russian Warriors" and "Swifts" aerobatic team flew their aircraft over Red Square.

On the same day, several Russian cities, including St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ulan-Ude, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok, also held military parades.

On June 24, 1945, the Soviet Union held its first military parade in Red Square to commemorate the victory in the Great Patriotic War. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has held the Victory Day parade and a series of celebrations on May 9 each year since 1995.