Tanks, missiles parade past Putin on Russia's Victory Day

Tanks, howitzers and missile carriers rumbled across Moscow's Red Square and large planes flew low overhead as Russia on Thursday celebrated its anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. More than 11,000 troops saluted President Vladimir Putin as they marched past the Kremlin wall for the traditional parade. Putin praised the country's war veterans and promised that his government would do its utmost to prevent another war.
"We will do everything to ensure that nobody ever dares to unleash another [war] or threaten our children," he said. "... We will do everything to strengthen security on the planet." After his speech, about 100 military vehicles drove across the square while the president watched with other dignitaries from a tribune in front of the Lenin Mausoleum.
They were followed by 68 helicopters and planes, their number matching the years since the 1945 surrender of Germany. The date is remembered in Western countries on May 8 but falls on May 9 in the former Soviet Union because it was signed after midnight Moscow time.