In Pictures

In Pictures: Russia shows off military might at grand WWII parade

The traditional May 9 Victory Day Parade delayed by the coronavirus pandemic takes place in Moscow’s Red Square.

Russian honour guards get ready for a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 2020. - The parade — Russian honour guards prepare for the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. [Alexander Nemenov/AFP]

Columns of tanks and troops paraded through Red Square on Wednesday as President Vladimir Putin oversaw grand World War II commemorations.

Forced to postpone the country’s traditional May 9 Victory Day celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic, Putin rescheduled the parade for just a week ahead of a July 1 public vote on controversial constitutional reforms.

Among other changes, the reforms Putin proposed earlier this year would reset the presidential term-limit clock to zero, allowing him to potentially stay in the Kremlin until 2036.

This year’s parade, marking 75 years since the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, included some 14,000 soldiers from 13 countries, as well as vintage equipment and the latest military hardware showing off Russia’s fighting capabilities.

Officials say the date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the first post-war parade on Red Square, which saw Soviet troops throw down Nazi standards in front of the Lenin mausoleum on June 24, 1945.

This handout picture provided by Host photo agency shows guests arriving to watch a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red S — People arriving to watch the military parade in Moscow's Red Square. [Sergey Pyatakov/Host photo agency/AFP]

An aerial view shows Red Square before the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, was — An aerial view shows Red Square before the Victory Day Parade. [Mikhail Voskresensky/Host photo agency via Reuters]

Russia''s President Vladimir Putin attends the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in W — Russian President Putin attends the Victory Day Parade. [Sergey Pyatakov/Sputnik via Reuters]

Soldiers from China''s People''s Liberation Army march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on Jun — Soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army march in Red Square during the military parade. War veterans quarantined ahead of the event in sanatoriums were seated at intervals in the stands on Red Square. [Alexander Nemenov/AFP]

Members of Youth Army movement march during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in — This year's parade included some 14,000 troops from 13 countries. [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]

Russian servicewomen march during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War — Officials say the date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the first post-war parade on Red Square. [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]

Soviet WWII-era T-34 tanks move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. - Th — Soviet WWII-era T-34 tanks move through Red Square during the parade. [Alexander Nemenov/AFP]

Russian T-80BVM and T-14 Armata tanks drive during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Ger — Russian T-80BVM and T-14 Armata tanks during the parade in Red Square. [Evgeny Biyatov/Host photo agency via Reuters]

A Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile system and other military vehicles move through Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over — The parade included the latest military hardware, showing off Russia's fighting capabilities. [Alexander Nemenov/AFP]

Russian TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers drive during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. The military parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi — Russian TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers driving through Red Square. [Ramil Sitdikov/Host photo agency via Reuters]