Victory Day Parade

[Vikrant]

About 70 years ago, Russians defeated Nazis in a titanic struggle. The memories of that struggle still haunt Russians. They celebrate this victory every year in what they call Victory Day Parade.

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MOSCOW: Russia on Saturday staged a grand military parade here to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in the presence of several world leaders, including President Pranab Mukherjee, even as western powers boycotted the event due to a stand-off over Ukraine.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers, including an Indian Army contingent and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), took part in the parade at the iconic Red Square here which lasted for over 90 minutes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin witnessed the parade along with President Mukherjee, Chinese President Xi Jinping and UN secretary general Ben Ki-moon.

Western powers like the US, Russia's World War-II allies Britain and France have boycotted the event over Kremlin's "meddling" in Ukraine.

The parade on Red Square showcased cutting edge weapons such as the next-generation Armata T-14 tank and advanced military aircraft.

Russia displays military might in WWII Victory Day parade Indian Chinese troops take part - The Times of India

 

[Stratford57]

Vikrant wrote:
'Western powers like the US, Russia's World War-II allies Britain and France have boycotted the event over Kremlin's "meddling" in Ukraine.'


"Western powers" seemed to be too busy thinking how to tell the world about the recent Ukrainian law: those Ukrainian citizens, who were fighting in Ukrainian Rebel Army on Hitler's side during WW2, must be honored the same way as the veterans, who were deliberating mankind from fascism. Since the coup in Kiev in 2013 all the news, coming from Ukraine should start with the words: "Against all the common sense...."


Full version of Victory Day Parade ^

 

[Mr. H.]

I thought Mother Nature defeated the Germans on Russian soil.

 

[Stratford57]

British Daily Mail has published the following article today:

So when David Cameron snubbed his Red Square 'Victory Day' commemorations, the Russian leader was determined to outsmart him with a cunning propaganda initiative.

In place of the Prime Minister on the VIP podium, Putin gave pride of place to three British Arctic convoy heroes.


Ernie Kennedy, Geoff Shelton and David Craig were seated immediately behind the Russian president and alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The strategic positioning ensured that TV images that flashed around the world included the three Britons wearing their medals and Arctic convoy white berets.

And Mr Putin's coup was complete when two of the trio criticised Mr Cameron for not attending the parade and accused the Government of behaving 'like spoilt children'.

The veterans served on ships in the Arctic convoys during the Second World War – braving temperatures of minus 40C and stormy seas to deliver vital supplies to their Russian allies as they fought back the Nazi invasion on the Eastern Front.

Mr Cameron, US President Barack Obama and other Western leaders decided to stay away from the Moscow parade last weekend in protest at Russia's annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in eastern Ukraine, where it supports separatist rebels.

Instead, Sir Winston Churchill's grandson, Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames, represented Britain.

Mr Shelton, 89, of Edinburgh, said: 'President Putin gave us the best seats there. I think he wanted to show that we were representing the UK in Mr Cameron's absence.

'Mr Cameron should have come and I feel very annoyed that he didn't. It doesn't matter what the Government thinks or what's happening in Ukraine – it is petty and callous to ignore the sacrifice that was made by the 20 million Russians who died in the war.'

Mr Craig, 90, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, added: 'The Russians have treated us a lot better than our own Government, who have just behaved like spoilt children.

'When I watched the display of military strength, I just thought of the millions of Russians who lost their lives helping us to win the war.'

Sir Nicholas insisted Mr Cameron was right not to attend but was quick to pay tribute to the veterans. He said: 'I was humbled beyond words to meet them…Churchill called their journey 'the most dangerous voyage in the world'.'

The convoy veterans were awarded dedicated Arctic Star service medals only in 2013 after a long fight for recognition. Ministers had previously refused to mark their bravery because they said the conflict was too long ago.

Mr Putin awarded them the Russian Ushakov medal at the same time for their courage in keeping supply lines open.


If Dave won t go we will Vladimir Putin s propaganda coup as Britain s Arctic convoy heroes take boycotted seats at Moscow parade Daily Mail Online