MOSCOW // Russia rolled out an air defence missile system of the kind used to protect its base in Syria and some of the Russian jets flying missions there screamed overhead as it showcased its military war machine on Moscow’s Red Square on Monday.
The annual Victory Day parade – marking the 71st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War – took place in bright sunshine as president Vladimir Putin looked on from a tribune filled with Soviet war veterans, some of whom wore rows of campaign medals and clutched red roses.
The Russian leader, whose forces annexed Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014 and are now helping Syrian president Bashar Al Assad’s army, watched as thousands of troops marched across the cobbled square to the strains of martial music.
The authorities, backed by state media, use the event to encourage patriotism, reinforce national identity, for geopolitical point scoring, and to underscore the importance of having a strong military to protect the country’s borders.
“It [the commemoration] has become a symbol of sacred closeness between Russia and its people,” Mr Putin told those attending the parade.
The Kremlin also uses the event to show how a multi-billion dollar modernisation programme is changing the face of the Russian military with new weapons and hardware.
Some politicians in former Soviet republics or satellite states regard the parade as crude sabre-rattling by a resurgent Russia they say poses a threat to Europe’s security. Russia dismisses such allegations.
Columns of tanks followed the troops as did the advanced S-400 air defence missile system, which is deployed in Syria to protect the Russian air base there. Russia’s latest Yars mobile intercontinental nuclear missile launcher was also on show.
Scores of military aircraft flew over Red Square, including jets which emitted multi-coloured smoke to trace the red, blue and white colours of the Russian flag in the sky.
Mr Putin largely confined his remarks to the importance of the wartime victory, but also spoke of the need to fight global terrorism and to cooperate with other nations to do that.
“Terrorism has become a global threat,” said Putin. “We must defeat this evil. And Russia is open to uniting efforts with other governments, is ready to work on the creation of a modern non-bloc system of international security.”
State media criticised governments in Ukraine and Poland in the run-up to the parade for systematically dismantling wartime monuments in honour of Soviet forces, accusing them of dishonouring the troops who liberated them from the Nazis.
Ruling politicians in both countries disagree, saying Soviet troops were occupiers. The monuments are being pulled down as part of a de-communisation drive, they say.
* Reuters
