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Russians Hold WWII Parade at Moscow's Red Square

Published June 25th, 2020 - 11:44 GMT

Columns of tanks and troops paraded through Moscow, Wednesday, as Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over grand World War II (WWII) commemorations to stir up patriotic fervour ahead of a vote on extending his rule.

Putin was flanked on Red Square by elderly war veterans in uniforms laden with medals as thousands of troops carrying bright banners and Kalashnikov rifles marched in the blazing sun to mark the Soviet Union’s defeat of “Nazi” Germany, according to AFP.

Forced to postpone the traditional May 9 Victory Day celebrations by the coronavirus pandemic, Putin rescheduled the parade for just a week before the July 1 vote on controversial constitutional reforms.

Putin hailed the Soviet role in World War II praising the Red army for liberating Europe, ending the Holocaust and saving Germany from Nazism, saying it was “our duty to keep this in mind”.

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Servicemen in historical uniforms march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Servicemen in historical uniforms march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Sailors march during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 24, 2020. STR / AFP

Sailors march during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 24, 2020. STR / AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin and guests observe a minute of silence during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin and guests observe a minute of silence during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP

Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP

Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP

Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP

Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP

Russian T-72B3 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Russian T-72B3 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

A police officer assists a veteran prior to a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

A police officer assists a veteran prior to a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

Russian military jets fly over Dvortsovaya Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

Russian military jets fly over Dvortsovaya Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Russian servicemen wearing face masks take part in a rehearsal for June 24 military parade marking Soviet victory in World War II, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2020. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

Russian servicemen wearing face masks take part in a rehearsal for June 24 military parade marking Soviet victory in World War II, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2020. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

Servicemen in historical uniforms march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Sailors march during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 24, 2020. STR / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin and guests observe a minute of silence during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP
Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian T-72B3 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
A police officer assists a veteran prior to a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian military jets fly over Dvortsovaya Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Russian servicemen wearing face masks take part in a rehearsal for June 24 military parade marking Soviet victory in World War II, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2020. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Servicemen in historical uniforms march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Servicemen in historical uniforms march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Sailors march during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 24, 2020. STR / AFP
Sailors march during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on June 24, 2020. STR / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin and guests observe a minute of silence during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin and guests observe a minute of silence during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP
Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian army RS-24 Yars ballistic missile system moves through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pavel Golovkin / POOL / AFP
Russian T-72B3 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Russian T-72B3 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
A police officer assists a veteran prior to a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
A police officer assists a veteran prior to a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian military jets fly over Dvortsovaya Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian military jets fly over Dvortsovaya Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Saint Petersburg on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade, usually held on May 9, was postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Russian servicemen wearing face masks take part in a rehearsal for June 24 military parade marking Soviet victory in World War II, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2020. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP
Russian servicemen wearing face masks take part in a rehearsal for June 24 military parade marking Soviet victory in World War II, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, at Dvortsovaya Square in Saint Petersburg on June 18, 2020. OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP

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