Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany, is Russia's most important secular holiday, both honoring the enormous sacrifices of World War II, in which nearly 9 million Red Army soldiers are estimated to have died, and asserting the country's military strength.

Russia has nearly quadrupled its defense spending in recent years, aiming to resuscitate the military forces that deteriorated in the post-Soviet period.

Topol missiles, which have the capacity to carry nuclear warheads, were part of the display of more than 100 tanks, mobile missile units and armored vehicles that was aimed at underlining the military revival. But many of the heavy weapons shown were only slightly modernized versions of equipment developed decades ago.

Although the display was significantly smaller than in Soviet-era parades, the return of the tradition has raised concerns that Russia harbors aggressive ambitions.

But President Dmitry Medvedev, in a speech opening the parade, said "the true purpose of weapons and military equipment is to give reliable defense of the homeland."

Medvedev, who took office Wednesday, stayed away from controversial statements such as predecessor Vladimir Putin's parade speech last year, which implied parallels between the U.S. and the Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.

But he said "we must not allow contempt for the norms of international law."

Russia has consistently criticized both the U.S.-led war in Iraq and wide Western recognition of Kosovo's independence as arrogant violations of international principles.

Putin, who was named Russian prime minister on Thursday, stood just behind Medvedev's shoulder and his face was prominently shown in TV broadcasts as the president spoke — underlining the wide belief that Putin will be the power behind the presidency.

Although Russian officials deny any intentions of returning to Soviet ways, the style and symbolism of Victory Day is heavily redolent of the Communist era.

Posters proclaiming the holiday throughout the city include the hammer-and-sickle insignia, which is also seen on the banners and period uniforms used by some of the regiments, which goose-stepped across the 6-acre (2.5-hectare) square under clear skies.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reviewed troops before the parade by standing in the back seat of an open 1980s-era ZIL limousine.

Russian news reports said about 3 million World War II veterans are still alive. Although veterans receive extensive public praise, their pensions are small and many live in poor conditions even as Russia's economy soars.

In a tacit recognition of their straits, Medvedev's first decree after taking office was to order that all World War II veterans receive housing by 2010.

Source: FOXNews.com







More than 8,000 soldiers and officers of the Moscow garrison took part in the parade, the first involving heavy military equipment such as tanks and strategic bombers since 1991.

The Russian Armed Forces showcased more than 200 units of military equipment such as tanks, infantry combat vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery mounts, air defense combat vehicles and land-based mobile missile systems.

More than 30 aircraft, including strategic bombers, tanker planes, military cargo planes, fighter jets, assault aircraft, frontline bombers and helicopters took part in the parade together with aerobatics teams Russkiye Vityazi and Strizhi.

The air fleet flew over Moscow at a height of about 300 meters as part of the parade.
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So, what do you guys think? Were they trying to send the world a message, or maybe was it a warning?

I must admit that it was pretty IMPRESSIVE!!! Especially the powerful "huurah" screamed by thousands of soldiers. I so wish I had been there. Personally, I'm glad that at least one country in the world celebrates this important day, when Nazis were defeated. We cannot forget about the past and I think such parades are needed. Too bad, the Victory Day is not celebrated in my country... (yeah, I know it wasn't Poland who won :P but I wish it was an international celebration... in every country involved in the Second World War).

Oh, BTW. It wasn't such a brilliant idea to bring the tanks to Moscow downtown, cause now they have to repair the roads :lol:

I dont care how many times they celebrate it...the russian government is fascist...their very very close to the Third Reich, prob more than know. US isnt any better...but its just oh so slightly better.

Instead of celebrating for day...they should economically help the veterans...it would do more good than comparing their penile size for one day.

I wonder if they remember those deserters that were shot as well.

Russian government is not fascist. Nor is American.

Debatable.

Yeah, sure.
Funny how after the defeat of Nazi Germany ocurred the enslavement of Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic nations became the Soviet vassals for 44 years.


The world ist krieg :cool

I prefer stalinism to nazism after all... :rolleyes:

Nazism may be worst, that doesn't mean stalinism is good.

They are showing off military bombers and tanks for some reason.

Of course, stalinism is not good, but if I was to chose from those...

But no, the Soviet Union is not coming back, for sure. I belive Miedwiediew and Putin are wise politicians.

I see this whole parade as a negative thing, but then again, I don't exactly love Russia. :b

There's been a lot of discussion of Medvedev and Putin in the news, and many seem to think that it's still Putin that makes the decisions.

But meh, I don't see the point in showing off firearms and tanks and whatnot... To each their own, I guess. And I really wouldn't be surprised if we'd be the ones they tested their weapons on... They implied that a while ago anyway..

As a matter of fact we might be a target as well... :P I'm not scared though.

I know you don't like Russia at all, and my fondness for this country is something that I cannot explain.