dyton mupawaenda
Kuda Bwititi in MOSCOW, Russia
RUSSIA showcased its military prowess yesterday, as 29 Heads of State, including President Mnangagwa and other dignitaries from around the world, witnessed the lavish Victory Day celebrations at the Kremlin.
President Mnangagwa was among the VVIPs, as two of the most powerful men in the world, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, sat side by side to watch thousands of troops marching through Moscow’s Red Square.
President Mnangagwa interfaces with Zimbabwean students in Russia yesterday. — Pictures: Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo.
President Xi was the guest of honour at the grand occasion, in a show of force by the two heavyweights of global politics.
The annual May 9 commemoration marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and the end of the worst ever war to be witnessed by mankind.
It is one of the most important days in Russia’s and the world’s calendar, and this year marks its 80th anniversary.
Millions of people died during World War II as the conflict affected the whole world with some Zimbabwean citizens also fighting in the war.
During the military parade, a selection of tanks, modern and historical, were on show as over 11 500 soldiers from Russia and its allies put on scintillating military displays.
Military contingents from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Egypt, China, Laos, Mongolia and Myanmar also took part in the Victory Parade.
The parade began with a march of the banner group bringing the national flag of Russia and the Victory Banner into Red Square. The parade was led by Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces General Oleg Salyukov and reviewed by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.
The mechanised column featured a range of Russian military vehicles, including the T-34 Victory Tank, SU-100 artillery, Tigr-M and VPK-Ural armoured vehicles, various infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks (T-72B3M, T-80BVM, T-90M).
President Mnangagwa follows proceedings at the Military Parade yesterday.
Missile and artillery units displayed systems like Iskander-M, S-400, and Yars ICBMs. For the first time, drones like Orlan, Lancet, Garpiya and Geran were showcased. The parade ended with aerobatic teams’ jets, followed by Su-25 aircraft painting the sky in Russia’s flag colours.
Just before the displays started, a welcoming ceremony was held for Heads of State.
During the welcoming ceremony, President Mnangagwa, resplendent in his trademark scarf, arrived in a grand entrance, walking through the Kremlin before taking his seat among the VVIPs.
Just before the military displays began, President Mnangagwa was warmly welcomed by President Putin, with the two leaders exchanging a handshake.
In his speech, President Putin vowed to defend Russia’s values and history.
He paid tribute to the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazism in World War II.
“We faithfully preserve the memory of those historic, glorious events,” President Putin said. “Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers saved the Fatherland, and they bequeathed us to defend the Motherland.”
The Russian leader warned against attempts to distort history or justify Nazi collaborators, reaffirming Russia’s stance against Russophobia and anti-Semitism.
He also expressed support for those involved in current military operations, praising their courage and determination.
“As the heirs of the victors, today we celebrate Victory Day as the most important holiday for the country, which the entire nation, each family, each of us holds dear.
“Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers saved the Fatherland. And they bequeathed us to defend the Motherland, to stay united and firmly defend our national interests, our thousand-year history, culture and traditional values — everything that is dear to us, that is sacred to us.”
He said Russia remembers the lessons of World War II and “will never agree with the distortion of those events or attempts to justify the murderers and slander the true victors”.
President Putin added: “Our duty is to defend the honour of the Red Army soldiers and commanders, and the heroism of fighters of different ethnic backgrounds who will forever remain Russian soldiers in world history.
“Russia has been and will continue to be an indestructible obstacle to Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism, and will stand in the way of the violence perpetrated by the champions of these aggressive and destructive ideas.”
It was a day to remember for thousands of Russians who thronged the Kremlin.
Some of the displays at the Military Parade marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, Russia, yesterday.
The scenes were also a memorable spectacle for hundreds of journalists from around the world who filled the humongous Kremlin Press Centre to cover the event for their respective countries.
For Julia Stepuro, a Russian journalist for the First News For Child TV in Moscow, the day was surreal.
She said Victory Day celebrations make her remember her grandfather who was one of the Russian soldiers who died during World War II.
“It is the most important holiday in Russia. It gives us time to reflect on who we are as a people and the sacrifices that were made by our fathers, grandparents and great grandparents to not only free Russia but free the whole world from evil. My grandfather is a veteran of the war, who unfortunately died during combat. He didn’t get to enjoy Victory Day. So when I celebrate it, I celebrate it on his behalf.”
Another Russian citizen and university student, Veronika Avakova, said her great grandfather Senior Lieutenant Domitry Grigorievish Lesovog fought the war and survived.
“He died some years ago. He was a senior officer in the military and he spoke proudly about the war to me, when I was a little girl. So Victory Day will always mean a lot to all the people of Russia,” she said.
A student, 18-year-old Sofia Cheruousova, said Victory Day is a day she spends with her family.
“It is not just a holiday, but an important family day. It is a day when we cook a special meal together as a family. We also attend remembrance concerts that are held across Moscow featuring fireworks displays, musical galas, film concerts and other art performances. Everyone in Russia respects this day.”
Online Reporter