Female Cadets Marched to 'Katyusha' as a Tricolor Flag Spanned the Sky: Victory Day Parade on Red Square in 20 Photos

The spectacular procession captivated Muscovites and visitors alike with thousands of military personnel, allied armies, and legendary vehicles from both the Great Patriotic War and the present day.

On May 9, 2025, Moscow once again became the heart of a nationwide celebration as the Victory Day Parade took place on Red Square, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. This commemorative event combined solemnity, military precision, pride in history, and deeply emotional moments that moved many to tears.

Woman.ru has gathered the key highlights of the parade in photos and videos.

From early morning, the city center transformed: heavy military equipment assembled near Red Square while crowds of Muscovites and guests hurried to secure spots along the barriers. By 9 a.m., everything was set—spectators, cadets, veterans, soldiers, and parade participants were in position, the air filled with a mix of tension and anticipation for this grand event.

At exactly 10:00 a.m., the solemn march began to the rhythm of drums. The Russian national flag was the first to be carried onto the cobblestones of Red Square, followed by the Victory Banner. The procession was led by Army General Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces. Accompanied by Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, he reviewed the formations and extended congratulations on the occasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived just minutes before the parade started, accompanied by leaders from over 20 allied countries. Among the dignitaries were heads of state from Serbia, Belarus, Venezuela, Cuba, Egypt, China, and others. Many had arrived in Moscow the day before to participate in this historic anniversary. Alexander Lukashenko attended Red Square alongside his son Nikolai. Notable guests also included Steven Seagal, Emir Kusturica, and Oliver Stone.

During his ceremonial speech, Vladimir Putin emphasized eternal values—truth, historical memory, and the strength of unity. He reaffirmed that Russia will never allow the distortion of World War II's outcomes, will not whitewash criminals, nor diminish the heroism of true champions. The president also expressed special gratitude to allies, resistance fighters, and the people of China, recognizing their significant contribution to the victory.

This year, the parade featured over 11,000 participants. Leading the front ranks were Heroes of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Khabarov and Vitaly Antonov. A total of 20 Russian Heroes, 44 recipients of the Order of Saint George, and 54 recipients of the Order of Courage marched across Red Square. Alongside them were military personnel from allied armies including Egypt, China, Vietnam, and former Soviet republics.

The true stars of the parade were the female cadets from military academies, who marched in step to the famous song "Katyusha." Their synchronized cadence, supported by a powerful choir, became one of the most touching and widely discussed moments of the procession. Following them, young army cadets entered the square.

The mechanized segment of the parade impressed all attendees. The formation was opened by the legendary T-34 tanks—a living symbol of victory. They were followed by modern weaponry including BMP-2M "Berezhok," BMP-3, "Kurganets-25," artillery systems "Hyacinth" and "Malva," and precision missile complexes "Iskander."

Special attention was given to unmanned aerial vehicles: "Orlan-10," "Orlan-30," Zala, "Lancet-51," "Lancet-52," "Harpy," and "Geranium"—emblems of a new era in defense capabilities.

The parade concluded with a magnificent finale: the military orchestra performed the iconic song "Victory Day," as the entire square stood united, openly expressing their emotions. A powerful choir echoed through the loudspeakers while a giant Russian tricolor unfurled across the sky. At that moment, every attendee—from the president to the youngest cadet—felt part of a great historical legacy.

Following the official program, Vladimir Putin engaged with foreign guests, parade participants, and veterans. Many veterans, despite their age, proudly wore their medals while attending Red Square.

Photo credits: Sergey Savostyanov/TASS, Vyacheslav Prokofiev/TASS, Valery Sharifulin/TASS, Gavriil Grigorov/Presidential Press Service/TASS, Sergey Bulkin/TASS, social media

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