Russia Preps Victory Parade

Russian nuclear missile systems were pictured rolling through Moscow  as the country ramps up preparations for its military parade celebrating victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

The thermonuclear-armed RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system units (known as SS-29 by Nato) were among a sea of military vehicles and soldiers rehearsing for the Red Square Victory Day Parade.

This year’s event is timed to coincide with Vladimir Putin’s latest presidential inauguration after another election victory denounced as a “sham”. The Russia President is set for another six years in the Kremlin after winning March’s ballot, with his new term formally beginning.

British and American armored vehicles captured in the conflict with Ukraine have already gone on display in Moscow in a month-long exhibition to coincide with the commemorations.

The display, which is running from 1 May to 1 June, features 30 types of vehicles from 12 countries, including a Saxon armored personnel carrier used by the British Army and donated to Kyiv in 2015.

More than 9,000 participants and 70 military vehicles and planes are expected to attend the parade in the capital city, marking the 79th anniversary of the win in 1945.

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system launchers were seen driving along Red Square, near St Basil’s Cathedral, during the rehearsal, while a soldier rode atop a Soviet era T-34 tank. Other servicemen were seen on Z-STS armored vehicles during the main rehearsal for the central Moscow parade.

Male and female Russian service members, cadets and members of the youth army military-patriotic movement marched in columns during the final rehearsal before Victory Day.

Parades will take place in 28 Russian cities and involve more than 50,000 troops and about 1,000 items of armament and military hardware.