Russia holds parades to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War

　　China News Agency, Moscow, June 24 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) Russia held parades to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War.

　　As in previous years, the largest military parade was held on the Red Square in Moscow, employing about 14,000 officers and soldiers, more than 200 pieces of ground military equipment, and 75 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Leaders from Belarus, Uzbekistan, Serbia and other countries attended the military parade.

On June 24, local time, Russia celebrated the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War on the Red Square. The picture shows a military parade overlooking the Red Square in Russia.

　　On the same day, in addition to Russian officers and men, honor guards from 13 countries including China, Belarus, Moldova, and Armenia were also reviewed on the Red Square. Among them, the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army is the second to participate in the Red Square military parade in 2015 after the first participation in the Red Square military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Patriotic War.

　　Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech on the same day, stating that the Soviet people heroically traversed the path of numerous sacrifices to achieve victory in the Great Patriotic War and should defend this historical fact. He also emphasized that strengthening friendship and trust among the people of all countries is of utmost importance, and Russia is willing to conduct dialogue and cooperation with other countries on pressing issues in international affairs.

On June 24, local time, Russia celebrated the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War on the Red Square. The picture shows the A-50 early warning aircraft flying over the cathedral.

　　On the same day, after the military parade in Moscow, Putin and other leaders went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to lay flowers.

　　In addition to Moscow, 27 other Russian cities such as Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd, and Vladivostok also held military parades of varying sizes. In addition, at the Russian Air Force Base in Syria, the Russian soldiers and the Syrian government officers and soldiers also held a military parade.

　　In accordance with established practice, the Russian Victory Day parade should be held on May 9. However, due to the New Crown Virus epidemic, Putin postponed the military parade until June 24, the day when the Soviet Union held the Red Square parade for the victory of the Great Patriotic War for the first time after the end of World War II in 1945. On May 9 this year, several cities in Russia, including Moscow, held air parades to reduce the risk of infection.

　　Due to the different epidemic situation in various parts of Russia, some cities canceled the planned military parade or reduced the size of the military parade on the 24th, and some cities organized online viewing of the military parade. (Finish)