MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin is expected to review Russia’s traditional World War Two victory parade on Sunday, a patriotic display of raw military power that this year coincides with soaring tensions with the West.
The parade on Moscow’s Red Square commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two is expected to feature over 12,000 troops, more than 190 pieces of military hardware, including intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, and – weather permitting – a fly-past by nearly 80 military aircraft.
Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, traditionally watches the display, which is due to start at 0700 GMT, with Soviet war veterans from a review platform.
This year’s parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow’s relations with…
