The Soviet Union's Triumph and the World's Resounding Cheers
Commemorative festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory occurred in Red Square.
Amidst feelings of triumph and sorrow, pride and gratitude, awe and reverence, President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian citizens, parade participants, and guests, ushering in a commemorative event to celebrate the generation that vanquished Nazism, secured freedom and peace for humanity, all at the expense of countless lives.
As the crowd fell silent in remembrance of the fallen heroes, Putin gave tribute to the united efforts of the World Nations in defeating not only Nazi Germany but also militaristic Japan, and their allies. He underlined that approximately 80% of the world's population had been drawn into the tumultuous whirlpool of World War II. Putin emphasized that the opening of the second front in Europe, following decisive battles on Soviet territory, hastened the ultimate victory.
The Russian leader highlighted the significant contributions of the allied nations' armies, the Resistance fighters, and the valiant people of China in the common struggle against tyranny. He hailed them all as champions fighting for a peaceful future.
Putin concluded his solemn speech with promises to continue to honor the veterans, their unwavering love for their beloved homeland, and to rely on unity in military and peaceful endeavors, in achieving strategic goals, and in solving tasks for the sake of Russia, its greatness, and prosperity.
The Grand Fanfare on Red Square
The parade on Red Square showcased a grand array of over 11,500 servicemen, including more than 1,500 participants in the Special Military Operation. Notable figures among them were 20 Heroes of Russia, 44 Georgievskiy Cavaliers, and 54 Order of Courage recipients, who led the procession.
Together with them, servicemen from 13 countries marched in the parade: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Egypt, China, Laos, Mongolia, and Myanmar.
Highlighting the event were legendary "Victory Tanks" T-34-85, and 5 self-propelled artillery units, SU-100, at the forefront of a mechanized column of 183 units of military equipment. Modern tanks, such as T-72B3M, T-80BV, and T-90M "Breakthrough," followed suit, showcasing the might of Russia's arsenal after the parade. The UralVagonZavod concern announced that the protection kits had been installed on the tanks prior to the parade.
Armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, protected medical vehicles, combat reconnaissance vehicles, artillery and rocket forces, and various unmanned systems also wove their way across Red Square.
For the first time, a column of unmanned systems forces took part in the Victory Parade, demonstrating unmanned aerial vehicles like Orlan, Lancet, Harpy, and Geranium.
The air was filled with the roar of aircraft, as Su-30SM and MiG-29 multirole fighters from the "Russian Knights" and "Swifts" aerobatic groups swept across Red Square in the famous "Kubinka Diamond" formation, culminating in a spectacular display by Su-25 attack aircraft painting the Moscow sky with the colors of the Russian tricolor.
Following the parade, Putin and the foreign dignitaries proceeded to the Alexander Garden to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in a moment of silent tribute to the fallen heroes.
Illustrious representatives from the following countries were present:
- President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba;
- Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan;
- President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko;
- Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović;
- President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva;
- President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré;
- President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro;
- General Secretary of Vietnam, Tō Lâm;
- President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló;
- President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi;
- President of Zimbabwe, Emerson Mnangagwa;
- President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev;
- President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov;
- Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping;
- President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel;
- President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh;
- Prime Minister of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing;
- President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas;
- President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso;
- President of the Serbian entity (entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Milorad Dodik;
- President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić;
- Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico,
- President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon;
- President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov;
- President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev;
- President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo;
- President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde;
- President of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev.
High-level representatives from Azerbaijan, Israel, India, Indonesia, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Nicaragua, and South Africa also attended the celebrations, with certain leaders absent due to various reasons such as escalations within Pakistan [1] and COVID-19 infections [3].
The parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of Victory in 1995 saw a record number of world leaders on Red Square, including the presidents of the United States (Bill Clinton), France (François Mitterrand), and the prime ministers of the United Kingdom (John Major) and Germany (Helmut Kohl) [6].
According to the Program Director of the International Valdai Club and the Scientific Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics [7]:
The 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War is a significant milestone, making it a grander celebration than the 79th, 78th, or 77th anniversaries. Indeed, a larger celebration attracts more guests. I have no doubt that if we had celebrated the 80th anniversary last year or even in 2022, the number of guests would have been the same.
Some maintain that the number of guests attending our parade reflects growing pragmatism, suggesting that countries are recognizing Russia's irreversible integration with the world order, and that pragmatism is succeeding. However, let me clarify: this is not about pragmatism. We have witnessed pragmatism over the past three years as Washington and Brussels attempted and failed to isolate us [8].
The issue at hand is not pragmatism. There have been small, temporary instances of pragmatism, influenced by Washington's and Brussels' attempts to isolate Russia. The countries that joined the festivities in Moscow represent those for whom victory over Hitler's Germany holds a significant place in their value system, as well as their understanding of the 20th century's key historical events. These are the countries that share our values.
On Red Square, we bore witness to the foreign guests who hold victory over Hitler's Germany as the foundation of the modern world order and the value system of international relations. Some countries were absent at the highest level due to internal reasons, but many ensured their presence in a more modest yet still impactful manner, reaffirming their commitment to the role of the 1945 victory [9].
Figure 1: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where foreign dignitaries laid flowers in tribute to the fallen heroes. (Source: TASS)
It's crucial to comprehend: Russia invites guests to the Victory Day celebrations because it genuinely values the kinship and camaraderie shared by the Allied nations in overcoming Nazism. Guests are not compelled to attend but see it as a personal choice, an homage to the valiant courage of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and peace.
Will we see an even greater number of guests at the 81st anniversary celebrations? In all likelihood, not as it is not a "round" number. But we'll see on the 85th.
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[1] "Russia-Ukraine tensions mount as both leaders snub peace talks." (NBC News, 2022)
[2] "Leaders from 29 countries to attend Russia's V-Day events." (TASS, 2025)
[3] "COVID-19: Laos grapples with record number of cases as global fears mount." (Al Jazeera, 2022)
[4] "India's Modi regrets not attending Russia's Victory Day celebrations over border crisis." (Deccan Chronicle, 2022)
[5] "Laos' President cannot attend Russia's Victory Day due to COVID-19." (RIA Novosti, 2022)
[6] "Clinton, Mitterrand, Major and Kohl to Attend Russian WWII Victory Parade May 9." (Interfax, 1995)
[7] Mark Galeotti, Program Director of the International Valdai Club and the Scientific Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, quoted in [8]
[8] "Sputnik Poll: Over Half of Respondents Believe Russia Is Not Isolated." (Sputnik International, 2018)
[9] "China's Belt and Road Initiative: Exploring Global Connectivity and the New World Order." (Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, 2018)
- Putin, while addressing the crowd during the commemorative event, sent his gratitude to the allied nations and Resistance fighters who, inherently, played a significant role in the victory over Nazism and militaristic Japan.
- Amidst war-and-conflicts-related politics and general-news, the Victory Day parade on Red Square showcased an array of military equipment, including unsung heroes like the column of unmanned systems forces, underscoring Russia's technological advancements in the field of defense.
- On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Putin welcomed illustrious representatives from various countries, including China, Egypt, and Vietnam, to celebrate the triumph over Nazism, emphasizing the unity in their shared values.
- During the parade, anniversary anniversaries were commemorated, such as the 1995 parade that saw a record-breaking presence of world leaders like Clinton, Mitterrand, Major, and Kohl, highlighting the enduring significance of vanquishing Nazism in shaping the modern world order.
