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Tanks rejoin Moscow V-Day parade | Tanks rejoin Moscow V-Day parade |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Russian tanks and intercontinental missile launchers are being paraded through Moscow's for the first time since the collapse of the USSR. | |
The Russian leadership has decided to revive the Communist-era custom of featuring military hardware in the annual Victory Day parade. | |
The Kremlin insists the event, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, is not meant to threaten anyone. | |
But observers say it wants to show Russia is a serious military force. | |
Dmitry Medvedev, who was inaugurated as president on Wednesday, is leading the parade on Red Square. | |
His predecessor, Vladimir Putin, said earlier that the display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade was "not sabre-rattling". | His predecessor, Vladimir Putin, said earlier that the display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade was "not sabre-rattling". |
But the BBC James Rodgers in Moscow says the symbolism of this year's parade will not be lost on friends at home or former foes abroad. | |