Russia Revels in Victory Day

1 minute read
By TIME

Two days after Vladimir Putin yielded power to his hand-picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, the Russians revive the Soviet-era tradition of parading symbols of the nations’s military prowess across Red Square

Missile Command

An honour guard stands at strict attention as Topol-M strategic missiles roll through Red Square. Its cobbles had been reinforced to cope with the tanks and other heavy weaponry.YURI KOCHETKOV / EPA

In Step

Marching bands and 8,000 troops goose-stepped across the square, followed by a huge display of heavy weapons.ALEXANDER NEMENOV / AFP / Getty Images

Highly Decorated

WWII veterans walk across Red Square. New president Dmitry Medvedev said the modern day army and navy were getting stronger.YURI KADOBNOV / AFP / Getty Images

A Victory Dance

Revelers dance during the day's celebrations. Observers say the point of the parade was to demonstrate that Russia is a serious military force.Denis Sinyakov / REUTERS

Goodbye Lenin

Soldiers carry flags with the portraits of Soviet state founder, Vladimir Lenin.Grigory Dukor / Reuters

Rolling into Red Square

A truck-mounted Topol intercontinental ballistic missile rolled into Red Square.Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP

Russia’s Rush Hour

Tanks and other military vehicles drive down Tverskaya Street in central Moscow.Thomas Peter / Reuters

Meet the New Boss

New President Dmitry Medvedev extends a hand to a World War II veteran as Vladimir Putin looks on. In his speech, Medvedev said "the true purpose of weapons and military equipment is to give reliable defense of the homeland."DMITRY ASTAKHOV / EPA

Flying High

A Russian IL-76 transport plane and a fighter jet fly over Red Square. The Kremlin insisted that the entire event wasn't meant to threaten anyone.ALEXANDER NEMENOV / AFP / Getty Images

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