Russian troops rehearse for their Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of the Nazis as officials admit they may have to delay the huge annual event due to coronavirus
- The parade
Russian troops rehearse for their Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of the Nazis as officials admit they may have to delay the huge annual event due to coronavirus
- The parade in Moscow will mark the 75th anniversary of the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II
- Officials have admitted that 'it may well be moved to a later date' due to the spread of deadly coronavirus
- Coronavirus has infected more than 21,000 and killed 170 in Russia and Moscow remains under lockdown
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
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Russian troops have begun rehearsals for their Victory Day parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nazis’ surrender.
The parade marking the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II is still set to go ahead next month amid the global coronavirus pandemic but officials have admitted that 'it may well be moved to a later date'.
Coronavirus has infected more than 21,000 and killed 170 in Russia while its capital Moscow remains under strict lockdown.
Military vehicles were driven down the streets of Yekaterinburg in preparation today with troops - clad in protective face masks - marching alongside them.
Russian troops have begun rehearsals for their Victory Day parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nazis’ surrender
The parade - rehearsals pictured today - is still set to go ahead next month amid the global coronavirus pandemic but officials have admitted that 'it may well be moved to a later date'
Tanks were driven down the road in Yekaterinburg, Russia, as part of rehearsals for the parade marking the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II
Troops donned face masks for the rehearsal to protect themselves from coronavirus which has infected more than 21,000 and killed 170 in Russia
The parade being rehearsed today (pictured) is usually held in Moscow in May. But the city remains under strict lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus
While much of the world celebrates the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender on May 8th, Russia traditionally celebrates it on May 9 as it was signed after midnight in Moscow time.
But officials have said celebrations could be postponed in a bid to enforce social distancing rules at the hugely-popular parade, RT reports.
Officials are also considering holding the parade without veterans - who gather wearing their medals every year - as they are more susceptible to the bug.
Military vehicles were driven down the streets of Yekaterinburg in preparation today with troops - clad in protective face masks - marching alongside them
The parade in 2019 gathered enormous crowds (pictured) sparking fears that social distancing measures could not be enforced if it went ahead this year
Victory Day has become the most important holiday on the country's calendar with world leaders invited to Moscow for this year's historic celebration.
Every year, thousands gather including many elderly veterans proudly wearing their medals.
Military units have started rehearsals in Yekaterinburg for the traditional Red Square parade and leaders such as France's Emmanuel Macron and India's Narendra Modi had promised to attend.
While much of the world celebrates the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender on May 8th, Russia traditionally celebrates it on May 9 as it was signed after midnight in Moscow time. Pictured: Rehearsals for the parade in Yekaterinburg today
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Officials have said celebrations could be postponed in a bid to enforce social distancing rules at the hugely-popular parade. Pictured: Troops wear face masks at the rehearsal today
Officials are also considering holding the parade without veterans - who gather wearing their medals every year - as they are most susceptible to the bug. Pictured: A serviceman salutes during the rehearsal today
Victory Day has become the most important holiday on the country's calendar with world leaders invited to Moscow for this year's historic celebration being rehearsed today (pictured)
Dozens of tanks were rolled out in the streets of Yekaterinburg as part of rehearsals for the military parade supposed to go ahead next month
Every year, thousands gather for the parade (rehearsals pictured today) including many elderly veterans proudly wearing their medals
It would seem impossible to have such a gala now, with much of Russia and the world locked down to stop the spread of the virus. But rehearsals for the parade were still going ahead
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week no decision has been made on whether to postpone it but authorities are considering 'options,' one of which is to hold it without the veterans, a group especially vulnerable to the virus. Pictured: Military vehicles were driven down the street as practise today
Children gathered to watch the enormous tanks drive past them as part of rehearsals for the Victory Day parade
A boy wearing a face mask watches as the battle takes make their way past him on the streets of Yekaterinburg, Russia
It would seem impossible to have such a gala now, with much of Russia and the world locked down to stop the spread of the virus.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week no decision has been made on whether to postpone it but authorities are considering 'options,' one of which is to hold it without the veterans, a group especially vulnerable to the virus.
Peskov added the Kremlin would understand if foreign leaders decided not to come due to the pandemic and added the celebration would take place even if it doesn't happen on May 9.
A Russian serviceman drove a motorcycle down the road ahead of the rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Yekaterinburg
The parade is traditionally an opportunity for Russia to show off its military might to the world who can watch the gala live
A serviceman of a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle crew can be seen during the parade rehearsal in Yekaterinburg today
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The 'Great Patriotic War' that saw nearly 30 million people die and nearly brought the USSR to its knees
The 'Great Patriotic War' is used in Russia to describe the conflict between Russia, her allies, and Nazi Germany from June 1941 and May 1945.
Hitler’s devastating offensive against Russia threatened to annihilate the Soviet Union so the conflict on the Eastern Front is regarded by Russia as its own independent war.
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union through Kiev, which had already become a part of the USSR and within one week, around 150,000 Soviet soldiers were wounded or dead.
When Kiev fell, 600,000 soldiers were captured and by October of the same year, three million Soviet soldiers were prisoners of war.
As his troops marched on the Russia capital, Hitler believed if the Germans won the Battle of Stalingrad he would defeat the USSR, but after nearly a year of fighting one of the bloodiest battles of the war, the Nazis were defeated.
From this point on the Red Army was able to push back the tide against the Nazi advance. A conservative estimate states around 26 to 30 million, mostly Soviet civilians as well as military personnel, died in the brutal conflict.
Around 1.5 million civilians and soldiers died, most from starvation during the Siege of Leningrad which saw a blockade last 872 days.
Russia commemorates the German surrender every year on May 9.
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