Russian troops wore masks as they made preparations for the annual May 9 Victory Day parade to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II amid Russia's lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But officials admit that they may have to move the Moscow celebrations to a later date.
Masked Russian Troops Prepare For Victory Day Parade
- By RFE/RL
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Masked Russian servicemen drive armored vehicles along a Yekaterinburg street during Victory Day parade rehearsals on April 14. Parades will be held in Yekaterinburg and Moscow on May 9, but the Russian capital remains under lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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A Russian serviceman wearing a protective mask looks out of a military vehicle during a rehearsal for the annual Victory Day celebrations. The event in Yekaterinburg is expected to feature 13 planes and nine helicopters.
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T-34 battle tanks rumble down a Yekaterinburg street during rehearsals for celebrations that will mark the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II. The event is still set to go ahead on May 9 amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Russian officials have admitted that they may need to reschedule the popular Moscow parade to a later date.
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A World War II-era Soviet light armored vehicle takes part. In February, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Red Square parade would feature 15,000 troops and 375 military vehicles and aircraft.
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Boys watch self-propelled howitzers passing by during a rehearsal of a military parade in Yekaterinburg on April 14.
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A Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile system takes part in parade rehearsals.
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The Defense Ministry said soldiers were given regular temperature checks to ensure their safety.
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Russian servicemen drive self-propelled howitzers along a street in Yekaterinburg. Officials are considering holding Victory Day events without veterans, who could be more vulnerable to the coronavirus.
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Servicemen are seen in a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. Victory Day is an important holiday on Russia's calendar, with world leaders invited to Moscow. France's Emmanuel Macron and India's Narendra Modi had promised to attend this year's celebration.
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A soldier looks out of a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that no decision had been made on whether to postpone Victory Day celebrations, but that authorities were considering other "options."
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A masked soldier watches a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle passing by.
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T-72B3 battle tanks join the parade preparations. Rehearsals are also scheduled for May 5 and 7 in Yekaterinburg.
