What to expect from Russia’s Victory Day parade?

According to international media, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to speak at the Victory Day celebration on May 9 this year.

Victory Day of Russia takes place on May 9 every year. It is considered the proudest day on the Russian calendar and has been marked as a national holiday since its inception in 1991. It commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II as Soviet forces take over Berlin.

In previous years, Russian troops marched across Red Square in Moscow on May 9. The parade includes many military equipment such as aircraft, tanks, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)…

At last year’s Victory Day parade, Russia deployed more than 12,000 troops, 190 military hardware and a display of nearly 80 military aircraft.

Russia prepares for the Victory Day parade on May 9 last year. Photo: Xinhua News Agency

This year, President Putin is expected to emphasize the great sacrifice made by Soviet forces as they defeated Nazi Germany. LBC radio quoted British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace as saying that in his speech from Red Square, President Putin is expected to mention a “special military operation” in Ukraine, ordering the mobilization of more troops. .

However, the Kremlin denies such plans, accusing them of “untrue and meaningless” information.

On the morning of May 9 (local time), Soviet flags and traditional orange-black military ribbons were seen flying over Russian cities and towns. The letter “Z” – the symbol of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine – appears on buildings, posters and billboards across Russia.

Earlier, on May 8, the Kremlin announced President Putin’s congratulations to the leaders and people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan… on the 77th anniversary of War Day. defeat the fascists. The Russian leader stressed that for now, the common task is to prevent the revival of fascism because it has brought suffering to people of various countries.