2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade

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RS-24 Yars ICBM on show at the 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade

The 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade was a military parade held in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, on 9 May 2023, to commemorate Victory Day which celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of the Eastern Front of World War II. The event was scaled down due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine amidst an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin issued by the International Criminal Court in March 2023.[1]

Background[edit]

Victory Day is a significant secular holiday in Russia that commemorates Germany's surrender in World War II, which marked the end of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. The holiday celebrates the military might and moral fortitude of the Red Army, which suffered enormous losses in the war, with at least 20 million Soviet citizens losing their lives. Victory Day has been observed annually on May 9 since 1945, and it is one of the most revered and widely celebrated public holidays in Russia, with parades, fireworks, and concerts held across the country.

Parade summary[edit]

The 2023 parade was heavily scaled down compared to earlier parades. Around 51 vehicles were present, which included IMVs and Remdiesel Z-STS Akhmat MRAPs, the latter of which are only used by Chechen forces.[2]

T-34-85, the sole tank on show at the 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade

Only one tank was shown, namely an antique T-34-85, a type produced in the Soviet Union from 1944 to 1946. No flyover column was present during the event for the second year in a row.[2][3] Only 51 vehicles were present compared to 197 for the 2021 Victory Day parade, roughly only 25% of the vehicles that appeared in 2021. Given the lack of a flyover, the parade lasted only 45 minutes, compared to an hour and a half as per usual. Only eight thousand soldiers took place in the parade compared to eleven thousand soldiers who appeared in 2021. The vintage T-34-85 was the only tracked vehicle on parade, the rest of the vehicles were light fighting vehicles that were wheeled. Vehicles such as VPK-3927 Volk, Tigr and VPK-7829 Bumerang appeared on the parade. No short range air defense systems were seen either, a break from previous parades. Finally the relatives of those that fought in Great Patriotic War, the Immortal Regiment, were not allowed to march.[4][5][6]

As in earlier years, missile launchers and artillery were also included. ICBMs were shown and among these were three RS-24 Yars.[2]

Putin's speech[edit]

In his speech to the Russian audience, Putin claimed that Russia is the defender of peace, freedom, and stability, saying that "We believe that any ideology of superiority is inherently disgusting, criminal and deadly." Putin accused "Western globalist elites" for "provoking bloody conflicts and upheaval," professing an "aggressive nationalism," sowing hatred and Russophobia, and destroying traditional family values.[7][8]

Foreign dignitaries in attendance[edit]

Vladimir Putin and other post-Soviet leaders at the 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade

Amongst those in attendance were:[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2023 Moscow Victory Day Parade.
  1. ^ Gigova, Sana Noor Haq,Anna Chernova,Vasco Cotovio,Radina (2023-05-09). "Russia scales back annual Victory Day parade as Putin's war in Ukraine comes under mounting pressure". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Robinson, James (9 May 2023). "How does Russia's scaled-back 2023 Victory Day parade compare to previous years?". Sky News.
  3. ^ Stevenson, Chris (2023-05-09). "Vladimir Putin gives angry speech at stripped-back Victory Day parade". The Independent.
  4. ^ "Parade of "world's second army" features only one tank, from World War II". Yahoo News. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  5. ^ THOMAS NEWDICK (2023-05-09). "Lone Antique T-34 Was Only Tank In Moscow's Victory Day Parade". The Drive. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Putin slams West at Russian Victory Day parade, says world is at 'decisive turning point'". CBC. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Russia Holds Victory Day Celebrations Amid Fresh Strikes On Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Central Asian Presidents Join Putin for May 9 Victory Day Parade". The Diplomat. 10 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Leaders of all five 'Stans plus Armenia in Moscow for May 9 victory parade". www.intellinews.com. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  10. ^ "Қасым-Жомарт Тоқаев Жеңіс күніне арналған әскери парадқа барды — Қазақстан Республикасы Президентінің ресми сайты". Akorda.kz (in Kazakh). Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  11. ^ "Посещение Военного парада, посвященного 78-летию Победы в Москве | Президенти Тоҷикистон - President of Tajikistan - Президент Таджикистана - رئيس جمهورية تاجيكستان". president.tj. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  12. ^ "The President of Turkmenistan took part in the celebrations held in Moscow in honour of the Victory Day". turkmenistan.gov.tm. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  13. ^ "Президент Узбекистана принял участие в торжественных мероприятиях по случаю 78-летия Победы" (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  14. ^ "The Prime Minister arrives in Moscow on a working visit". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
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