The Victory Day parade took place in Moscow

10.05.2011 Triumphant parade was conducted on May 9 at the Red Square in Moscow; almost 20,000 servicemen and over 100 combat vehicles took part in the parade.

The Victory Day Parade of 2011 has become the largest one in the Russia's contemporary history. It consisted of dismounted, motorized, and air phases. Some systems were demonstrated to public for the first time.

After review of parade companies, Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov reported to President Dmitry Medvedev.

When the president's speech was over, joint military band consisting of 1,500 musicians played Russian national anthem.

The drum company opened the parade, and then color groups marched past carrying Russian national flag, the Victory flag, and the Russian Armed Forces' flag; color company and honor guards of three branches followed them.

Dismounted part included regiments of Russian Army, Air Force, Navy, Strategic Missile Force, Space Defense Force, Airborne Troops, NBC Troops, Engineer Troops, Railway Troops, Special Forces, and other security ministries.

Armored cars Tiger opened the parade's mechanized part consisting of 106 combat vehicles. Among them were tanks T-90, armored personnel carriers BTR-80, self-propelled launchers of Iskander short-range missiles, Topol-M mobile missile systems, Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, launchers of S-400 Triumph air defense system, Msta self-propelled artillery systems, Pantsir-S1 antiaircraft missile/gun systems, launchers of Buk-M2 air defense systems, etc.

Air component of the parade was represented by Mi-8 helicopters flying flags of the Russian Federation, Armed Forces, and three branches – Army, Air Force, and Navy.

The Victory Day Parade was finished with triumphant sounds of "Farewell of Slavianka" march. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War watched the parade sitting on the bleachers mounted at the Red Square.

"Undoubtedly, our descendants will hallow the memory of heroes participated in the Great Patriotic War. The farther those years from us, the deeper is our comprehension of the heroism displayed by that generation, its courage, fortitude, and selflessness. Dear veterans, you set the highest moral pace and displayed devotion to the Motherland. Our duty is to remember that", emphasized the president. Addressing to veterans, Medvedev pointed out that on May 9 Russia celebrates "the most significant holiday". "You knew surely what you were fighting for and what your comrades gave their lives for. Freedom of people, national dignity, and peace at native land are things one must not cede under any circumstances. That is precious to everyone and what makes us united and strong nation. I congratulate you on the Day of the Great Victory! Long live the winning nation! Hurrah!", said Medvedev finishing his solemn speech.