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2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade

Victory Parade in Russia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade
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The 2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade was a military parade held in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, on 9 May 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, which celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.[1]

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Victory Day Parade on Red Square on 9 May 2025

Background

Victory Day is a significant secular holiday in Russia that commemorates Germany's surrender in World War II, which marked the end of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. At least 26 million Soviet citizens lost their lives. Victory Day has been observed annually on 9 May since 1945, and it is one of the most revered and widely celebrated public holidays in Russia, with parades, fireworks, and concerts held across the country.[2]

During the presidency of Vladimir V. Putin, Western observers and media have maintained that the holiday has been used for propaganda purposes, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3]

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Parade summary

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Russia's Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov
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People's Army of Vietnam marching at the parade

For the first time since 2012, Sergei Shoigu did not greet the 11,500 troops on Red Square as Minister of Defence, as he was replaced on 12 May 2024 after the 2024 Victory Day Parade, with Andrey Belousov assuming the role, appearing in a civilian suit rather than military uniform. Thirteen foreign contingents participated in the parade, including troops from the Commonwealth of Independent States with Egypt, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam joining the procession for the first time. The mechanized column opened with the iconic WWII-era T-34 tank and SU-100 self-propelled gun, symbolizing Soviet victory. They were followed by a display of modern military hardware: BMP-2 and Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles, T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M Proryv main battle tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, medical transports, and missile systems including the Iskander-M and S-400 air defense system. Notably, unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions such as the ZALA Lancet and Geran-2 drones were featured for the first time, highlighting the growing role of drone warfare. The parade concluded with a flyover by Su-30SM and MiG-29 fighter jets from the Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams, followed by six Su-25 jets emitting plumes in the colors of the Russian tricolour. In a significant diplomatic gesture, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, became the first leader from an EU or NATO member state to attend the parade since the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Putin's speech

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Putin's speech on 9 May 2025

In his Victory Day address, President Vladimir Putin emphasized Russia's role as the primary force behind the defeat of Nazi Germany, crediting the Soviet people with extraordinary heroism and sacrifice. He honored the memory of fallen soldiers and lauded the contributions of all Soviet republics, particularly highlighting the support from Central Asia and the South Caucasus during the war. He condemned modern attempts to distort the history of World War II, including efforts to downplay the Soviet Union's role or to rehabilitate Nazi collaborators. He criticized unnamed countries for erasing Soviet-era monuments and replacing them with memorials to what he called "traitors and Hitler's accomplices."[citation needed] He stated that Russia "will never agree" with the falsification of history or the slandering of the Red Army's legacy, and reaffirmed the need to preserve the truth and dignity of the Soviet war effort. Tying the legacy of the war to present-day events, Putin claimed that Russia's current military efforts are a continuation of the fight against Nazism and aggression. He asserted that the entire Russian society supports its soldiers and insisted that truth and justice are on Russia's side. He also warned of rising Russophobia and anti-Semitism, saying that Russia remains a global barrier against such ideologies. While acknowledging the contributions of the Allied nations, including the opening of the Second Front and the efforts of the Resistance and the Chinese people, Putin reiterated that the turning point of the war came on Soviet soil. He called on Russians to remain united, proud, and committed to their homeland, stating that the nation's strength lies in its unity, heritage, and values passed down by the wartime generation.[citation needed]

Foreign dignitaries in attendance

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See also: 2025 state visit by Xi Jinping to Russia
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Russian President Vladimir V. Putin with China's Xi Jinping
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Vietnam's Tô Lâm and Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro with their wives
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Brazil's Lula and First Lady Janja
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Foreign dignitaries

On 6 May, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Putin on foreign policy, announced a list of dignitaries who were to attend the parade, among whom were the leaders of 29 nations. Virtually all attended, including the leaders of most of the former Soviet republics, with the exceptions of the GUAM countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) and the Baltic states.[4][5] Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cancelled his visit on 7 May,[6][7] as did President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.[6]

On the evening of 8 May, Putin hosted an official dinner for foreign leaders present for the Victory Day parade.[33]

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Full order of the 2025 parade

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Russian tanks at a military parade on Red Square
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Russian sailors at a military parade on Red Square
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Russian soldiers at a military parade on Red Square
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Military parade on Red Square
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Military parade on Red Square
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Young Army at a parade on Red Square
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People's Liberation Army marching at the parade

Bold indicates first appearance, italic indicates multiple appearances, Bold and italic indicate returning appearance, all indicated unless otherwise noted.

Military bands

Infantry column

Mobile column

Aerial column

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Music

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Music was performed by the massed bands of the Moscow Garrison, commanded by Major general Timofey Mayakin.

Inspection of Troops

  • Sacred War ("Священная война") by Aleksandr Aleksandrov
  • Jubilee Slow March "25 Years of the Red Army" (Юбилейный встречный марш "25 лет РККА") by Semyon Tchernetsky
  • March of the Life-Guard Preobrazhensky Regiment ("Марш Лейб-гвардии Преображенского полка")
  • Slow March of Military Schools ("Встречный марш военных училищ") by Semyon Tchernetsky
  • Slow March for Carrying Out the Combat Banner ("Встречный Марш для выноса Боевого Знамени") Dmitriy Kadeyev
  • Guards Slow March of the Navy (Гвардейский Встречный Марш Военно-Морского Флота") by Nikolay Ivanov-Radkevich
  • Slow March (Встречный марш) by Yevgeniy Aksyonov
  • Slav'sya ("Славься") by Mikhail Glinka
  • Moscow Parade Fanfare ("Московская Парадная Фанфара")

Speech by President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin

  • State Anthem of the Russian Federation ("Государственный гимн Российской Федерации") by Aleksandr Aleksandrov
  • Signal Retreat ("Сигнал Отбой")

Infantry Column

  • Drum and Fife based on the theme from the March "General Miloradovich" ("Тема из Марша Генерал Милорадович") by Valeriy Khalilov
  • Metropolitan March ("Марш "Столичный") by Viktor Runov
  • Triumph of the Winners (Триумф Победителей)
  • March Cossacks in Berlin (Марш "Казаки в Берлине") by the Pokrass Brothers
  • Salute to Moscow (Салют Москвы) by Semyon Tchernetsky
  • Phalanx March ("Строевой Марш") by Dmitriy Pertsev
  • Moscow in May ("Москва майская") by the Pokrass Brothers
  • March of the Nakhimov Naval Cadets ("Марш нахимовцев") by Vasiliy Solovyov-Sedoy
  • Sports March ("Спортивный Марш") by Valentin Volkov
  • On Guard for Peace ("На страже Мира") by Boris Diyev
  • In Defense of the Motherland ("Марш В защиту Родины") by Viktor Runov
  • Katyusha ("Катюша") by Matvey Blanter
  • Air March ("Авиaмарш") by Yuriy Khayt
  • I Believe, My Friends ("Я верю, друзья") by Oskar Fel'tsman
  • March The Sea is Calling (Марш "Море зовёт") by Aleksandra Pakhmutova
  • March of the Artillerymen ("Марш артиллеристов") by Tikhon Khrennikov
  • We Need One Victory ("Нам нужна одна Победа") by Bulat Okudzhava
  • March Leningrad ("Марш Ленинград") by Viktor Runov
  • March Parade (Марш "Парад") by Semyon Tchernetsky
  • Song of the Perturbed Youth ("Песня о тревожной молодости") by Aleksandra Pakhmutova
  • To Serve Russia ("Служить России") by Eduard Khanok
  • March Cossacks in Berlin (Марш "Казаки в Берлине") by the Pokrass Brothers
  • Let's Go ("В путь") by Vasiliy Solovyov-Sedoy
  • Drum and Fife based on the theme from the March "General Miloradovich" ("Тема из Марша Генерал Милорадович") by Valeriy Khalilov

Mobile and Air Column

  • Triumph of the Winners (Триумф Победителей)
  • Invincible and Legendary (Несокрушимая и легендарная) by Aleksandr Aleksandrov
  • March Small Land (Марш "Малая земля") by Aleksandra Pakhmutova
  • March Three Tankmen (Марш "Три Танкиста") by the Pokrass Brothers
  • March of the Soviet Tankists (Марш советских танкистов) by the Pokrass Brothers
  • March Joy of the Victory (Марш "Радость Победы") by Vasiliy Bekker
  • March Hero ("Марш Герой")
  • Long Live Our State ("Да здравствует наша держава") by Boris Aleksandrov
  • Air March ("Авиaмарш") by Yuriy Khayt

Conclusion of the Parade

  • March Victory Day (Марш "День Победы") by David Tukhmanov

Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

  • Eternal Flame ("Вечный огонь) by Rafail Khozak
  • Adagio ("Адажио") by Valeriy Khalilov
  • State Anthem of the Russian Federation ("Государственный гимн Российской Федерации") by Aleksandr Aleksandrov
  • Silence ("Тишина") by Lev Gurov
  • The Sacred War ("Священная война") by Aleksandr Aleksandrov
  • Flagship March ("Флагманский Марш") by Aleksandr Rozenbaum
  • We Need One Victory ("Нам нужна одна Победа") by Bulat Okudzhava
  • Ballad of a Soldier ("Баллада о Солдате") by Mikhail Matusovskiy
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Announced ceasefire

Before the parade, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Putin wanted the announced ceasefire to last only three days, from 8 to 11 May, and rejected a proposal of having a ceasefire for 30 days.[37] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Putin's proposal and reiterated his support for an earlier proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.[38]

During the ceasefire announced by Russia, the Russian forces continued the attacks on Ukraine.[39] Ukrainian drone attacks forced Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow to repeatedly suspend operations, forcing Serbian President Vučić's flight to make a stopover in Azerbaijan.[40] Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned "the Kyiv regime" and "its propensity for terrorist acts".[41] President Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine "cannot be responsible for what happens" in Russia due to the war in Ukraine, and won't be "playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on May 9."[42]

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See also

Notes

  1. Did not attend watching the military parade itself, only the commemoration act.[28]

References

External links

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