'Victory Day' parade and Russia's message

(Baonghean) - Yesterday (May 9), people across Russia solemnly celebrated71st Anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945)-May 9, 2016) and 71 years of victory over fascism, ending World War II2Each parade is an opportunity for Russia to review its glorious history and at the same time send many messages to the world, in a context where the world is facing many instabilities and risks of conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at Red Square before the military parade on May 9, 2016 (Source: http://www.ndtv.com)

heroic tradition

Although it is an odd year, the traditional parade celebrating the 71st anniversary of Victory Day this year still receives special attention from the public. A bustling, exciting atmosphere has enveloped the capital Moscow and many provinces and cities across Russia for many days now.

Practical gratitude activities of the people also took place all over the country. In particular, there was a march called “Immortal Regiment”, with participants being generations of children and grandchildren carrying portraits of their fathers, grandfathers and relatives who participated in the Great Patriotic War.

With the most important main event being the military parade on Red Square, although the scale of this year's ceremony is not as large as last year's and with a modest investment; the event still has the full participation of Russian military forces.

Participating in the parade were nearly 10,000 soldiers, 135 pieces of military technical equipment such as Tigr military vehicles, T-90 tanks, BTR-82A armored vehicles, Buk-M2 air defense missiles, Yars strategic missiles, T-14 Armata tanks and a spectacular display of 71 helicopters and fighter jets.

Russian Buk-M2 air defense missile at the parade on May 9, 2016 (Source: Reuters)

Looking back, this was a major effort by Russia to maintain a tradition that was interrupted in 1990 when the Soviet Union collapsed. From 1991 to 1994, the parades on Red Square were not held. Until 1995, the event was re-enacted but at a different location than Red Square.

Since 1996, the tradition of holding military parades on Red Square on the occasion of Victory Day on May 9 has been established as an important holiday for Russia. However, the parade of heavy military weapons was only officially restored in 2008, presenting a powerful Russia in a new context.

Message of peace

It has been said that the restoration of the parade of heavy military weapons of Russia since 2008 is to show off its strength and consolidate its position of power. That is not wrong, in the context of a turbulent world, and Russia is also facing many difficulties and has many rivals in the international arena.

Spectacular performance of 71 helicopters and fighter jets on Victory Day (Source: Reuters)

But the annual parade on May 9th in Red Square certainly carries another message: that Russia will never submit, that Russia has the potential and wants to live in peace with other countries in the world.

Those who support Russia certainly know the statement of Russian President Putin that: "Russia will never allow a war, whether hot or cold, to be repeated."

History has recorded that the victory of the Allied forces on May 9, 1945, with the core role of the Soviet Red Army soldiers, crushed the fascist regime; at the same time, opened the path of liberation for oppressed peoples, including Vietnam, against colonialism, fascism, and militarism to regain independence and freedom for the nation.

But last year - on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory Day, there were attempts to distort history, to falsify history in order to downplay the role of the Soviet Union in saving humanity from fascism.

Therefore, through the grand military parades, Russia has resolutely demonstrated its stance and steadfastness with the truth of “for peace”. This is probably also the profound goal that Russia, despite having economic difficulties and being isolated by the West, still maintains the annual majestic and meaningful military parades at Red Square.

Russian smiles on Victory Day May 9 (Source: Reuters)

In 2016, tensions in relations between Russia and the West have eased, but President Putin still reiterated this in his message to former Soviet countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, the Republic of Georgia and Ukraine.

He stressed that "it is unacceptable to distort history and recall tragic events of the past."

However, in his speech at Red Square yesterday, President Putin, along with his commitment to building a strong Russia, mentioned a common enemy, which is terrorism. That means, Russia from the past to the present has always aimed to work with the world to build and protect peace and stability for all mankind. Because more than anyone else, Russia and President Putin understand that war does not bring any benefit, even the smallest, to anyone!

Phuong Hoa