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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Tanks rejoin Moscow V-Day parade | Tanks rejoin Moscow V-Day parade |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Russian tanks and intercontinental missile launchers have been paraded through Moscow for the first time since the collapse of the USSR. | Russian tanks and intercontinental missile launchers have been paraded through Moscow 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 Russian leadership has decided to revive the Communist-era custom of featuring military hardware in the annual Victory Day parade. |
| New President Dmitry Medvedev said the army and navy were getting stronger. | New President Dmitry Medvedev said the army and navy were getting stronger. |
| Observers say the point of the parade was to demonstrate that Russia is a serious military force. | Observers say the point of the parade was to demonstrate that Russia is a serious military force. |
| The Kremlin insists the event, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, is not meant to threaten anyone. | The Kremlin insists the event, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, is not meant to threaten anyone. |
| President Medvedev, who was inaugurated on Wednesday, has been leading the parade on Red Square. | President Medvedev, who was inaugurated on Wednesday, has been leading the parade on Red Square. |
| Cheering crowds lined the streets everywhere with their mobile phones and digital cameras out to record every passing ICBM, tank and jet Justin N, Moscow class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7387958.stm">Readers' views on parade | |
| "Our army and navy are gaining strength", he said. | "Our army and navy are gaining strength", he said. |
| "And in their power today lies the historical glory of Russian arms, therein lies the traditions of victory and the high spirit of our army." | "And in their power today lies the historical glory of Russian arms, therein lies the traditions of victory and the high spirit of our army." |
| His predecessor, Vladimir Putin, said earlier that the display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade was "not sabre-rattling", but "a demonstration of our growing defence capability". | His predecessor, Vladimir Putin, said earlier that the display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade was "not sabre-rattling", but "a demonstration of our growing defence capability". |
| Show of military might | Show of military might |
| Marching bands and 8,000 troops goose-stepped across Red Square, and heavy weapons such as Topol-M ballistic missiles and T-90 tanks were on display. | Marching bands and 8,000 troops goose-stepped across Red Square, and heavy weapons such as Topol-M ballistic missiles and T-90 tanks were on display. |
| The cobbles of Red Square had been reinforced, in advance of the parade, to cope with the tanks and other heavy weaponry. | The cobbles of Red Square had been reinforced, in advance of the parade, to cope with the tanks and other heavy weaponry. |
| Television stations showed soldiers marching in cities around the country, as well as veterans with chests laden with medals. | Television stations showed soldiers marching in cities around the country, as well as veterans with chests laden with medals. |
| Russia has made other recent shows of its military capability, including the resumption of long-range flights by the Tupolev Tu-95 bomber, an icon of the old Soviet arsenal. | Russia has made other recent shows of its military capability, including the resumption of long-range flights by the Tupolev Tu-95 bomber, an icon of the old Soviet arsenal. |
| But analysts say that despite these signs of military might, there is evidence of the Russian army and navy suffering from lack of money, a shortage of training, and low morale. | But analysts say that despite these signs of military might, there is evidence of the Russian army and navy suffering from lack of money, a shortage of training, and low morale. |
| The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says conscripts in the army can be subjected to shocking brutality. | The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says conscripts in the army can be subjected to shocking brutality. |
| Last year 450 conscripts died from beatings or suicide. | Last year 450 conscripts died from beatings or suicide. |
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| Are you in Russia? What are your thoughts on the Victory parade? Send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in Russia? What are your thoughts on the Victory parade? Send us your experiences using the form below: |