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Russia Parades Its Might, With Soviet Echoes

Red Square display, marking defeat of Nazis, puts revived military on display

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2008 1:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – Russia marked the 63rd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany today with a parade of Soviet-era of tanks, missile launchers, and columns of foot soldiers, the New York Times reports. President-turned-prime-minister Vladimir Putin and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, looked on, surrounded by the contrast of communist ritual with symbols of modern Russia's cut-throat capitalism.

Though the parade—which included 8,000 troops, plus tanks and fighter-jet flyovers—was popular among the Russian people, the display sends "the wrong signal," European diplomats told Der Spiegel. Said Medvedev: “History of world wars warns that armed conflicts do not erupt on their own. They are fueled by those whose irresponsible ambitions overpower the interests of countries and whole continents, the interests of millions."

Russian fighter jets fly above the Moscow Kremlin cathedrals' gold-plated domes in the annual Victory Day parade on Friday, May 9, 2008.
Russian fighter jets fly above the Moscow Kremlin cathedrals' gold-plated domes in the annual Victory Day parade on Friday, May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Wearing the 1943-45-era  Red Army uniform, a World War II veteran salutes during the annual Victory Day parade.
Wearing the 1943-45-era Red Army uniform, a World War II veteran salutes during the annual Victory Day parade.   (AP Photo)
Russian troops shout as they march in the annual Victory Day parade at the Moscow Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.
Russian troops shout as they march in the annual Victory Day parade at the Moscow Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and his predecessor who became prime minister, Vladimir Putin, left, attend the annual Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and his predecessor who became prime minister, Vladimir Putin, left, attend the annual Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev looks at the military wearing Red Army World War II era uniforms during the annual Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev looks at the military wearing Red Army World War II era uniforms during the annual Victory Day parade at Moscow's Red Square, on Friday, May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Russian military vehicles move through Moscow's Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade  on Friday, May 9, 2008, with the Kremlin, left, and State  Historical Museum, right, in the background.
Russian military vehicles move through Moscow's Red Square in the annual Victory Day parade on Friday, May 9, 2008, with the Kremlin, left, and State Historical Museum, right, in the background.   (AP Photo)
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