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Russian military parade starts on Red Square(1)
MOSCOW, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia hosted a military parade on Red Square Friday to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of its victory in World War II.
Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as domestic and foreign guests, observed the occasion.
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow May 9, 2008. Warplanes screamed over Red Square and missile launchers rumbled past ranks of soldiers on Friday when Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Different from his predecessor Putin, Medvedev made a mild speech at the parade.
He warned not to repeat the history and pledged to fight against extremism and terrorism.
"Congratulations on the holiday, the victory day," said the new head of state who just took office Thursday.
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.
"It is not sabre rattling. We do not threaten anyone and do not intend to do this, we are forcing nothing on anybody. We have everything enough," Putin said at his last meeting with the government officials as president on Monday.
Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as domestic and foreign guests, observed the occasion.
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow May 9, 2008. Warplanes screamed over Red Square and missile launchers rumbled past ranks of soldiers on Friday when Russia celebrated victory over Nazi Germany with a show of military might not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Different from his predecessor Putin, Medvedev made a mild speech at the parade.
He warned not to repeat the history and pledged to fight against extremism and terrorism.
"Congratulations on the holiday, the victory day," said the new head of state who just took office Thursday.
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.
"It is not sabre rattling. We do not threaten anyone and do not intend to do this, we are forcing nothing on anybody. We have everything enough," Putin said at his last meeting with the government officials as president on Monday.
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