Groups of people carrying portraits of family members affected by World War II are appearing worldwide in the runup to Victory Day celebrations. What started as a local tradition in Russia has grown into a global phenomenon.
The ‘Immortal Regiment’ allows people to honor family members who were affected by the bloody conflict that was waged decades ago. Originating in the Russian city of Tomsk six years ago, the tradition has since spread to other nations affected by World War II.
In some countries, merely dozens take part in the event. Most are descendants of families from the former Soviet Union. In others, like Israel, thousands march to honor their grandparents and great grandparents. Often, but not always, the local Russian diplomatic mission helps in organizing these events.
An Immortal Regiment vigil was held in New York City’s Battery Park on Saturday.
Similar events were staged in LA, Seattle, Miami, San Diego, Boston, and Washington, DC. A massive turnout was reported at two separate marches in Toronto, Canada, where up to 6,000 people showed up despite the rain.
In Spain, a commemoration held in Madrid attracted hundreds, while smaller events were reported in Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella, and other cities. In Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, some 600 people took part in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march, which was followed by a concert.
In the Italian capital, two separate marches, organized independently by different groups, were held. A commemorative march was held in the city of Bologna. A march in Brisbane, Australia proceeded along the South Bank boardwalk. It was the second year the city participated. In Japan, the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march was held for the first time.
Some 150 people gathered at the Russian Embassy in Kuwait City for an Immortal Regiment event. A similar event was staged near the embassy in Mexico City, halfway across the world. Israel’s Haifa held an Immortal Regiment march for the third time this year.
In some cities, including Beijing and London, the vigils will be held on May 9, the date Victory Day is celebrated in Russia.
Russia’s combat planes won’t take part in the Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"Due to the unfavorable weather conditions in the Moscow area, a decision has been made to cancel the participation of aviation in the Victory Day parade on Red Square. The aircraft and helicopters engaged for participation in the Victory Day parade will return to their permanent aerodromes," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
It was reported earlier that 72 crews would take in the air parade over Red Square on May 9.
Specifically, the air parade over Moscow’s Red Square was expected to involve Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, Il-78 refueling tanker aircraft, An-124 and Il-76MD military transport planes, Su-35S, Su-30SM, Su-27, MiG-29, MiG-31BM fighter jets, Su-34 and Su-24M frontline bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Yak-130 combat trainers and Mi-26, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-28N, Ka-52 and Mi-35M helicopters.
The airborne part of the parade was planned to be opened by Mil Mi-26 and Mi-8 helicopters at an altitude of 150 meters.
The combat planes and helicopters expected to take part in the air parade were based on eight aerodromes in the Moscow, Tver, Bryansk, Saratov, Kaluga, Voronezh, Lipetsk and Nizhny Novgorod Regions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the sacrifices of the Soviet people in World War Two, addressing the armed forces in Moscow.
The giant, annual Victory Day parade for the first time included missiles adapted for Arctic warfare.
Russia is developing new Arctic bases.
"No force will be able to dominate our people," Mr Putin said, deploring the havoc that Nazi Germany wreaked in the war. The USSR lost more than 20 million people - more than any other country.
The Soviet Union (USSR) ceased to exist in 1991.
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko took part in a wreath-laying ceremony in Kiev. He told Ukrainian soldiers that Russia was trying to use the victory anniversary "to satisfy its own revanchist, imperialist and expansionist needs".
"The Kremlin is still trying to command Ukraine as if it commanded the four Ukrainian fronts in the 1940s."
Russia has often been accused of downplaying the role of other nations in the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Western sanctions were imposed on Russia after it annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014. They were ratcheted up - targeting many close associates of Mr Putin - when the Russian military bolstered pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin denies helping the rebels militarily, but admits that Russian "volunteers" have joined their ranks.
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