Putin at the Heart of Red Square… A Victory Parade with the Flavor of Alliances

On a day meant to affirm his international alliances, President Vladimir Putin stood on the platform for the 80th anniversary celebration of “Victory Day,” surrounded by allied leaders.

May 9 is one of the most significant dates in Russia’s calendar, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

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The ceremony was attended by several heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Many of the participating leaders sent military units to join Russian troops in the parade.

The military parade began with an honor guard bearing the national flag of the Russian Federation and the Victory Banner over Nazism and its allies during World War II.

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According to “Russia Today,” 1,500 personnel from the Russian special military operation in Ukraine took part in the parade.

Following President Putin’s speech, the orchestra played the Russian national anthem as artillery salutes were fired.

The stands witnessed the march of the “honor guard” battalion carrying Russian flags, the Victory Banner, various formations of the Russian armed forces, and the banners of the ten war fronts.

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Also paraded were 45 battle flags of renowned military units, military reconnaissance forces, and border guards.

Leading the military convoy was the legendary Soviet T-34 tank, followed by artillery — weapons that played a decisive role in winning the war.

In the skies over Red Square, an aerial display was performed by the “Russian Knights” and the “Swallows” aboard MiG-29 fighter jets.

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