PREPARING FOR V-DAY ANNIVERSARY: ARMENIANS IN MOSCOW PARADE REHEARSALS

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News | 05.05.10 | 12:52

May 9 parade rehearsal in Moscow

A group of Armenian soldiers have marched through the Red Square in
Moscow along with military units representing other countries as part
of preparations for the upcoming Grand Military Parade in the Russian
capital marking the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
in Europe. The event this coming Sunday will also feature processions
by select army units representing a dozen countries, including the
former Soviet republics of Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, as well as
the military from France, Poland, Great Britain and the United States.

The Armenian Defense Ministry () reports that members of
the Armenian unit that will take part in the May 9 parade have been
in Moscow since April 30 and "have been provided with all conditions
for drills and rest." It is also reported that the Armenian unit is
located in the Moscow Higher Military Command College together with
representatives of Belarus and Ukraine.

The Ministry’s information service says representatives of the
Armenian unit have visited the central museum of the Great Patriotic
War (1941-1945) and Victory Park in Moscow where they paid tribute
to the memory of the Soviet soldiers who died in World War II.

The huge military parade in Red Square expected to be attended
by several world leaders is largely designed as a reminder of the
hard-won victory over Nazi Germany shared by all the nations that
lived as one state in the former USSR.

More than 60 million lives were lost in the Second World War
(1939-1945). Some 27 million of the dead were citizens of the Soviet
Union.

Armenia also made its solid contribution to the victory of the Red
Army and Allied Forces over fascism in Europe. The former Soviet
republic arguably had the highest death toll per capita as some
350,000 Armenians lost their lives in the deadliest conflict in the
history of mankind.

A group of World War II veterans from Armenia is also expected
to participate in the Moscow parade and events marking the V-Day
anniversary. All expenses connected with the veterans’ trip and stay
in Moscow are covered by the state.