Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Soviet triumph in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany
FILE PHOTO: Victory Day military parade rehearsal in Moscow. © Sputnik / Alexey Nikolskiy
Military parades and other ceremonial events paying tribute to the valor and sacrifice of the Soviet people are taking place across Russia, with the centerpiece event kicking off in Moscow at 10am local time.
Thousands of troops and dozens of military vehicles will parade through Moscow’s iconic Red Square on May 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany and its collaborators.
For over a decade, Victory Day has also featured a massive civilian march known as the Immortal Regiment, during which people carry portraits of their relatives who fought the Nazis. Dozens of Immortal Regiment marches have already taken place across the world over the past week – including in China, Africa, and Latin America – leading up to Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.
Following the parade in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with visiting leaders, with talks expected to cover Ukraine, regional conflicts, energy cooperation, and economic ties. The leaders of Brazil, Egypt, Slovakia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan are among those taking part in the discussions. A total of 29 foreign leaders have attended the Victory Day celebrations.
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09 May 2025
10:30 GMT
Speaking at a dinner with visiting foreign leaders after the Victory Day parade, Putin said that Russia remembers the assistance the Soviet Union received during WWII during fight against Nazis. He also raised a toast “to the triumph of truth and justice, to the prosperity of our countries and peoples.”
- 10:19 GMT
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said this year’s parade in Moscow is the best he has ever seen. “I didn’t take part in the Soviet parades – I was too young. But I’ve seen all the Russian ones, and I can say this is the strongest.”
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Putin signs security guarantees for BelarusHe noted that despite the Ukraine conflict, Russia has showcased its most advanced military hardware. “We saw new models. Well done,” he added. “We know this – we’ve purchased such equipment from the Russian Federation. I was fully satisfied with what I saw.”
- 10:15 GMT
The Soviet Union played a major role in World War II, destroying two-thirds of the German army and sustaining heavy losses, CNN reporter Frederik Pleitgen has said. Asked whether he thought the Soviet role is being reassessed, Pleitgen responded that the country’s significant contribution is common knowledge.
- 10:09 GMT
Ukrainian police have detained an elderly woman near the Eternal Flame memorial in Kiev after she arrived to lay flowers, wearing a Soviet military side cap with a red star. The symbol has been banned in the country under the notorious 2015 decommunization law.
The woman was seen arguing with officers, who asked her to give explanations at the station. “I’ve already been there six times,” she said before entering the police car voluntarily.
As part of its efforts to cut ties with Russia, Ukraine moved Victory Day from May 9 to 8 and designated May 9 as Europe Day, though many Ukrainians continue to defy the change.
- 09:03 GMT
Putin was joined by foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as they laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin.
- 08:34 GMT
After the parade concluded, President Vladimir Putin approached the commanders of the ceremonial formations and personally greeted each of them. He also spoke with North Korean service members. Troops from the country took part in the defense of Russia’s Kursk Region against a large-scale Ukrainian incursion.
- 08:31 GMT
Russian Su-35 and MiG-29 fighter jets opened the aerial segment of the Victory Day parade, followed by six Su-25 aircraft trailing smoke in the colors of the Russian flag.
- 08:19 GMT
Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems have also been displayed on Red Square. These systems form the backbone of Russia’s mobile nuclear forces.
- 08:19 GMT
This year’s Victory Day parade has featured the debut of the latest Giatsint-K and Malva 152-mm artillery systems. The event has also included modern Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems and the TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower systems.
- 08:17 GMT
Several types of drones used in the Ukraine conflict have been displayed in the parade.
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