Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a military parade in central Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War on May 9, 2022. (Kremlin photo)
Russia has always advocated for creating a system of equal and indivisible security, a system that is vital for the entire world community, Putin said.
MOSCOW, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia held a grand military parade in central Moscow's Red Square on Monday to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War.
In an address to troops and guests ahead of the annual event, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "it is our duty to keep the memory of those who crushed Nazism and bequeathed vigilance to us, and do everything so that the horror of a global war does not happen again."
S-400 air defense systems are seen during the military parade marking the 77th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
Russia has always advocated for creating a system of equal and indivisible security, a system that is vital for the entire world community, he said.
Putin recalled that in December last year Russia proposed concluding an agreement on security guarantees and called on the West to hold an honest dialogue taking into account each other's interests.
Putin blasted some Western countries for "cynical falsifications of the history of World War II" and underscored that Russia honors all the soldiers of the Allied armies who defeated Nazism and militarism.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (front) reviews the troops on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
Before Putin's speech, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in a black open-top limousine, reviewed the troops lined up on Red Square and wished them a happy Victory Day. The troops in full dress chanted "Hooray!" in reply.
About 11,000 soldiers in 33 formations marched across Red Square, followed by a mechanized convoy of 131 modern weapons and military equipment.
The ceremony lasted about one hour, and the aviation part of the parade was canceled due to weather conditions.
Servicemen march during the military parade marking the 77th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
After the parade, Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden outside the Kremlin wall.
Military parades were held in 28 Russian cities to mark the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) against Nazi Germany, an integral part of World War II. The Soviet Union lost roughly 27 million people, both soldiers and civilians, according to official statistics. ■
