Russia Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Victory in World War II with Grand Red Square Parade

Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany on Friday with a grand military parade on Red Square, commemorating the end of World War II and honoring those who served and sacrificed during the conflict, The Associated Press reports.

Victory Day, observed annually on May 9, is a deeply significant occasion in Russia, celebrating the Soviet Union’s role in the defeat of Nazism in what it calls the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). The event unites generations and political viewpoints in remembrance of a war that claimed the lives of 27 million Soviet citizens.

President Vladimir Putin presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Their presence underscored the international dimension of the historic victory and ongoing diplomatic ties between nations.

In his address, Putin praised the enduring legacy of the wartime generation and expressed support for Russian servicemen currently deployed abroad.

“We are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual strength — the same that has always brought us victory,” he said.

The parade featured over 11,500 troops and more than 180 pieces of military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery systems. A highlight of the display was the procession of Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, symbolizing strategic defense capabilities. The air show included precision flyovers by fighter jets, with aircraft trailing smoke in the colors of the Russian flag.

Celebrations took place despite heightened security measures in Moscow. Authorities reported temporary disruptions at airports earlier in the week, and mobile internet services were limited as a precaution. A 72-hour unilateral ceasefire was declared by Russian authorities beginning May 7 to allow for peaceful commemorations.

Following the parade, President Putin greeted military officials and spoke with veterans and visiting officers, including a group of decorated North Korean officials, in a gesture of military camaraderie.

Victory Day continues to serve as a solemn reminder of the past and a celebration of unity, resilience, and national pride. Across the country, ceremonies, concerts, and marches honored the memory of those who fought and those who fell in World War II, ensuring that their legacy lives on in generations to come.