SU-25 attack aircraft at the military parade on Red Square in Moscow dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: Sputnik.
The parade began with the striking of the Kremlin Clock. The Russian national flag and the victory banner – the sacred symbol of triumph over fascism raised over Berlin in 1945 – were carried into Red Square by the 154th Preobrazhensky Regiment.
Defense Minister’s inspection
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov inspected the troops, accompanied by commander-in-chief of the ground forces, General Oleg Salyukov.
Over 11,500 soldiers from the Russian Armed Forces and security agencies participated, including 1,500 veterans of the special military operation.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov concluded his inspection of the troops and proceeded to the central tribune to deliver his report to the President of the Russian Federation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
President Putin’s address
President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War:
- We are united by our reverence for the generation that defeated Nazism in the Great Patriotic War.
- Our country, at the cost of millions of lives, secured freedom and peace for all of humanity.
- Victory Day is the most important holiday for Russia.
- Russia will always be an indestructible barrier against Nazism and will fight against the atrocities of its followers.
- The entire country supports the participants of the special operation and is proud of their strength of spirit.
- Russia will never allow the true victors over Nazism to be slandered.
- The complete defeat of Nazism was achieved through the joint efforts of many countries, and Russia highly appreciates the contribution of its allies.
- The president called on Russians to look up to veterans and their determination to defend their homeland.
Historic & modern military units
The parade opened with young drummers from the Moscow Military Music School, continuing an 85-year tradition.
Legendary WWII units were honored, including infantrymen with the Mosin rifles, pilots who dominated the skies, and sailors who displayed unmatched bravery.
🚨🔥🪖 T-34 LEADS MECHANIZED COLUMN THROUGH RED SQUARE
Leading the way, the legendary T-34 tanks. In total, 183 units of military equipment are part of the parade. pic.twitter.com/ZrjBkmAUH2
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) May 9, 2025
Allied nations marched in solidarity, including contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, India, and others.
Special Military Operation heroes
Over 20 Heroes of Russia and 44 recipients of the Order of St. George led the procession.
Servicewomen, continuing proud military dynasties, marched in formation.
Youth cadets from Suvorov, Nakhimov, and Yunarmiya (Youth Army) represented the future defenders of Russia.
Mechanized column – power & precision
183 vehicles rolled across Red Square, from legendary WWII T-34 tanks to cutting-edge systems:
- T-90M Proryv tanks
- Iskander-M missile systems
- S-400 Triumph air defenses
- Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers
Aerial spectacle
The Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights) and Strizhi (Swifts) aerobatic teams perform breathtaking maneuvers in Su-30 and MiG-29 jets.The grand finale: six Su-25 attack jets painted the sky in the colors of the Russian flag.
Finale
The parade concluded with the Russian national anthem and the iconic “Den Pobedy” (Victory Day), honoring the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
🚨🇷🇺🔥 UP IN THE SKY: KUBINKA DIAMOND FORMATION SOARS OVER RED SQUARE
Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams, flying Su-30 and MiG-29 jets, DAZZLE as Col Andrey Alexeev leads the formation.
Tradition follows with six Su-25 attack aircraft painting the skies in Russia’s… pic.twitter.com/854fsx5M4G
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) May 9, 2025
International leaders present
The two most important guests at the parade were China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, however the Brazilian leader did not receive major media attention. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially expected but canceled due to the ongoing escalation with Pakistan, according to media reports.
From Asia were present the President of Vietnam (Luong Cuong), Mongolia (Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh), and Myanmar ( Min Aung Hlaing). Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Palestinian Authority’ president, Mahmud Abbas, also were in attendance.
The leaders of Central Asia countries were also on the guest list: Uzbekistan (Shavkat Mirziyoyev), Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon) who seated next to Putin during the parade, Kyrgyzstan (Sadyr Japarov), and Turkmenistan (Serdar Berdimuhamedov).
From Africa, the heads of Burkina Faso (Ibrahim Traore), Zimbabwe (Emmerson Mnangagwa), the Republic of Congo (Denis Sassou Nguesso), Ethiopia (Taye Atske Selassie), Egypt (Abdel Fattah el-Sisi), and Equatorial Guinea (Teodoro Obiang) were in attendance.
From America, Russia’s most long-standing partners, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel, participated in the anniversary ceremony.
From Europe participated Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenko, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia.
Overall 23 head of governments participated in the 80 Anniversary of Soviet Great Patriotic War victory that resulted in the defeat of Nazi-Germany. However a higher number of lower level international delegations participated in the anniversary.
(Sputnik)
