Russia Shows Off Military In Red Square Victory Day Parade
It's a day for patriots in Russia, where the country is celebrating Victory Day to commemorate the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany. A parade of troops, tanks, and missile launchers made its way through Red Square to mark the occasion.
"It is a holiday when an overwhelming force of patriotism triumphs, when all of us feel particularly acutely what it means to be loyal to the motherland and how important it is to defend its interests," President Vladimir Putin said.
The Russian leader also said that the "iron will of the Soviet people, their fearlessness and stamina saved Europe from slavery."
The annual parade offered a chance for Russia to show off its military, as a tense crisis continues to unfold in neighboring Ukraine. Putin did not directly mention Ukraine in his speech — but the BBC reports that after the parade ended, the president flew to Crimea, the region Russia recently annexed after it broke away from Ukraine.
i i