The final rehearsal of the May 9 Victory Day parade was held in Red Square, Moscow, on May 6.

The final rehearsal of the May 9 Victory Day parade was held in Red Square, Moscow, on May 6.

The rehearsal involved 14,000 servicemen and about 100 pieces of the armor.

Preparations for the May 9 parade envisage three night rehearsals (held on April 26, May 1 and May 3) and one daytime dress rehearsal on May 6.

The rehearsal involves eight Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) tactical missile systems, three Topol-M ballistic missile launchers (in the photo), sixteen S-400 Triumph air defense systems and Pantsir-S missile-and-cannon systems, etc.

Topol-M ballistic missile launcher and Rys (Lynx) combat reconnaissance vehicle.

Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems.

Helicopters carrying military flags will fly above Red Square in the final part of the parade.

Russia’s Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov presided at the rehearsal.

The first Victory Parade was held on Red Square on June 24, 1945 on the order of Joseph Stalin.

Beginning as usual at 10:00 a.m. on May 9, the Victory Parade in Moscow and other Russian cities will last for about 45 minutes.

Victory Day marks the final surrender by Nazi Germany to the U.S.S.R. in WWII, often referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia and other states in the former Soviet Union.
