Victory Day Parade in Moscow

Alan Taylor
May 9, 2017
24 Photos
In Focus

Today was observed throughout the former Soviet republics as Victory Day—the 72nd anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945. Thousands of members of Russia's military marched through Moscow's Red Square alongside over 100 pieces of mobile military hardware, while veterans dressed in their medal-festooned uniforms gathered in the streets. The parade was the centerpiece of Russia's most solemn secular holiday, commemorating the Soviet Union's enormous sacrifices in the war—an estimated 25 million dead—while making a display of the strength of Russia's modern military. Gathered here are images from today’s parade and rehearsals earlier in the week.

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Russian servicemen march in Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech as he attends the Victory Day military parade to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the victory in WWII in Red Square on May 9, 2017 in Moscow. #

Mikhail Svetlov / Getty

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Russian Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters fly over Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Military vehicles move during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, on May 7, 2017. #

Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP

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Russian servicewomen march in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian military cadets parade in Moscow's Poklonnaya Gora War Memorial Park on May 6, 2017, as part of festive events marking the upcoming 72nd anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. #

Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP / Getty

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Russian line guards march along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade on May 9, 2017. #

Yuri Kochetkov / AP

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People carry portraits of World War Two soldiers during the Immortal Regiment march in central Moscow on May 9, 2017. #

Vasily Maximov / AFP / Getty

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People carry portraits of relatives who fought in World War II, Russian and Soviet flags, during the Immortal Regiment march along the Tverskaya Street in Moscow on May 9, 2017. #

Pavel Golovkin / AP

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Russian servicemen march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in Moscow on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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A shoe lies on paving stones as servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square on May 9, 2017. #

Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP / Getty

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A mixed flight group of Strizhi (Swifts) in MIG-29 aircraft and Russkie Vityazi (Russian knights) in Su-30 aircraft fly over Red Square during the Victory Day military parade general rehearsal in Moscow on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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A pigeon flies next to Russian honour guard soldiers before the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile systems roll along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian servicemen march in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade on May 9, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian servicewomen march in Red Square during a rehearsal on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian T-14 tanks roll along Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian soldiers march along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2017. #

Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP

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A Russian military band performs in Red Square during the Victory Day military parade on May 9, 2017. #

Yuri Kochetkov / AFP / Getty

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Russian servicemen cast shadows on paving stones in Red Square on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian officers march along Red Square during a rehearsal on May 7, 2017. #

Mikhail Svetlov / Getty

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Russian servicemen take part in the Victory Day military parade in Red Square on May 9, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian servicemen ride atop military vehicles during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade on May 7, 2017. #

Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty

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Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers fly over the equestrian statue of Russia's Prince Yuri Dolgoruky during the Victory Day military parade general rehearsal in Moscow on May 7, 2017. #

Vasily Maximov / AFP / Getty

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