Despite the pandemic, Belarus is set to stage a Victory Day parade on May 9. But the military from Russia and China have refused to participate in the event, RFE/RL reports.
One squad from Russia and one from China were reported to join the Belarusian soldiers at the would-be parade. The representatives of the Russian army were also going to show their planes, Iskanders, and other military vehicles and equipment.
“The Russian and Chinese military departments have announced their decisions not to send their troops to take part in the military parade in Minsk on May 9,” Natallya Gaurusik, Spokeswoman for the Belarusian Defence Ministry, said on April 30.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian side continues conducting rehearsals of the parade. Soldiers’ trainings are expected to take place on May 5-6 at the military command post in residential area Uruchye on the outskirts of Minsk. A dress rehearsal is to be held by May 9, but the exact date has yet been set yet.
A week ago, the Defence Ministry responded to a petition demanding that the V-Day parade be cancelled.
“The epidemiological situation in Belarus allows the armed forces to hold planned combat training activities. Preparation and holding of a parade is an integral part of combat training of troops. In the course of trainings the personnel improves their skills, including management and maintenance of the equipment assigned to them, as well as raises their professional skills,” says the reply, signed by Defence Minister Viktar Khrenin.
On April 30, there have been 14,027 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Belarus; 89 patients have died.
As it has been known on Thursday, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus decided not to celebrate Labour Day in its traditional way. The Mat Day celebration has been moved online.
