RUSSIA: Russia celebrates annual May parade with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union

Record ID: 449556

  • Title: RUSSIA: Russia celebrates annual May parade with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union
  • Date: 9th May 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SERGEI, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "It is great after so many years, to have military parade [with heavy weaponry] back, it was great, unbelievable."
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3YS7YWSRDJ5QF2A9LNRFX0Z0T
  • Story Text: Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
    Warplanes flew over Red Square and missile launchers rumbled past ranks of soldiers on Friday (May 9) when Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
    The annual May parade, which commemorates the almost 27 million Soviets who perished in World War Two, is also intended to show Russia's revival and a military that the Kremlin says is still a force to be reckoned with.
    Vladimir Putin, before stepping down as president, ordered generals to revive the Soviet-era tradition of driving tanks, howitzers and missile launchers over Red Square as Russia's top brass watch from a platform in front of Lenin's mausoleum.
    President Dmitry Medvedev, sworn in as Kremlin leader this week, shook hands with veterans at the parade's opening.
    "Glory to the victorious soldier, glory to the great army of liberation. Congratulations with the day of great victory, hooray,"
    Medvedev said. Putin did not give a speech.
    The Kremlin has sought to foster memories of the World War Two, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, as a way to forge Russian unity after the upheavals and rancour which followed the fall of the Soviet Union.
    Politicians and generals are keen to show results of sharply rising military spending at home and to send a message overseas about Russia's renewed power.
    Russia has not displayed heavy weaponry at the parade in Red Square since 1990, the year before the Soviet Union's collapse.
    Troops answered in unison with "Hooray, hooray, hooray,"
    which echoed across Red Squared.
    At least 110 pieces of military hardware are taking part in the May 9 parade this year, including the Topol and the Iskander M, Russia's most modern missile launchers.
    Generals shouted orders at the troops, representing different branches of Russia's one million-strong armed forces as they marched stiffly past a viewing stand to martial music from a brass band, their heads all turned to the right to face the reviewing officers.
    Troops bellowed out the Russian national anthem, its verses changed for modern times but its tune restored by Putin to the old Soviet one. Around 30 warplanes were set to fly over the parade ground, including Russia's supersonic bombers, MiG fighters and helicopters.
    People cheered and waved flags from behind fences set up all along the route as the heavy military gear rumbled through the main road leading to the red square. People climbed on cars, balconies and roofs to catch a glimpse of the show of force. Most people said they felt grateful and happy watching the military might.
    "It is not to threat anybody, but to show that we are strong enough and are ready for everything," said an onlooker identified as Yuri, after watching the military vehicles pass by.
    "In the memory of our elders, our veterans, our grand fathers and grandmothers who fought , if not them we would not have our children, grandchildren, thanks them very much," said a woman named Olga.
    "It is great after so many years, to have military parade [with heavy weaponry] back, it was great, unbelievable," a Muscovite identified as Sergei said.
    The number of military vehicles was fewer than in Soviet times because the historic gates into Red Square -- demolished by Stalin to facilitate the passage of tanks -- have been rebuilt. This means heavy weapons can only approach and leave the square from the other side of Red Square.
    Russia did not hold big military parades in Red Square in the chaotic years of 1991-94 and in 1995 -- the 50th anniversary of Russia's World War Two victory -- military hardware was paraded separately from the soldiers outside Red Square.
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