Soldiers in Soviet-era uniforms, re-enacting of war-time episodes – from defending Moscow to the seizure of the Reichstag, Second World war equipment parade and show of legendary fighters I-153 and MiG-3 … On November, 7, Russia’s day of military glory, the Moscow authorities seem to have had aces up their sleeve.
For 50 minutes over 6,000 participants have appeared at the country’s main square.
This parade marks the 71st anniversary of a historical parade in 1941 when Soviet soldiers marched through Red Square towards the front lines to take on the Nazis during World War Two. At that time the frontline was close to Moscow, and Stalin decided to boost the morale of the Soviet troops. He was inspecting the parade personally.
It is to be recalled that Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of sending its troops to support separatists in Donbas, which the latter denies. The conflict in the east of Ukraine is not formally considered as a war between the two neighbours, but it is widely believed that Russia does have its hand in it.
Originally, November, 7, the anniversary of the October Revolution, was the official national day of the Soviet Union from 1918 to 1991, but these days it is just one of Russia’s days of military glory.Interestingly, November, 7 is still a public holiday in Belarus.
