On May 9, countries in many parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia celebrated Victory Day, an annual commemoration marking the official capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in World War II. (24 PHOTOS)
Ex-Soviet Bloc Celebrates Victory Day
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An honor guard from the Presidential Regiment marches during Victory Day celebrations on Moscow's Red Square.
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A column of Russian tanks drives through Moscow's Red Square during the Victory Day parade.
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Russian Interior Ministry troops march on Red Square.
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A World War II veteran kisses Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) after the Victory Day parade on Moscow's Red Square.
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Russian fighter jets release smoke in the colors of the Russian flag while flying over Red Square in Moscow during Victory Day celebrations.
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A Belarusian child flies the flag of the former Soviet Union during Victory Day celebrations in Minsk.
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Belarusian youths wearing traditional national costumes take part in a Victory Day parade in Minsk.
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Victory Day celebrations were also held in the Chechen capital Grozny.
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Tanks in the Victory Day parade in Grozny.
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Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (right) congratulates a World War II veteran in central Grozny.
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WW II veterans and a young boy watch the celebrations in Grozny.
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A woman attends the celebrations in the Daghestani capital, Makhachkala.
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WWII veterans attend the commemorations in Vake Park in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
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A young woman helps a WWII veteran to adjust his orange and black St. George ribbon during Victory Day celebrations in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.
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Kyrgyz veterans in Bishkek mark the 68th anniversary of the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany.
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A Ukrainian WWII veteran wearing a Soviet-era uniform sings in a Victory Day march in the center of Kyiv.
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Soldiers take part in a Victory Day parade in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.
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Kazakh veterans attend a commemoration ceremony in Almaty.
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Kazakh veterans of World War II at Victory Day celebrations in Almaty.
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Serbian politicians and army officers attend a Victory Day ceremony in Belgrade.
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A young boy salutes during Victory Day celebrations in Turkmenistan.