С Днем Победы!

Но́вый Арба́т bridge decorations

May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Russia mark the capitulation of Nazi Germany, signaling the end of Вели́кая Оте́чественная Bойна́ (or BOB) -The Great Patriotic War.  The surrender documents were signed late in the evening on the 8th of May in Berlin which was the 9th of May in Moscow -hence the split from V-E Day, celebrated on the 8th in the rest of Europe. 

This momentous and auspicious occasion is marked by a ceremony in Red Square to commemorate the estimated 28 million lives that were lost in the Soviet Union during The Great Patriotic War.  It is an official "no work" day with people making up the lost day by working on Saturday instead.  This ensures that everyone can attend the celebrations.  Rousing speeches by military and political leaders coupled with military processions and parades marching through the square with practiced precision inspire feelings of both confidence and national pride.  Viewers can't help but be awestruck by the sheer number of soldiers marching in perfect columns with military precision -the phrase had to have been coined after observing the Russian (Red) Army march in step, I'm sure.

For two weeks prior to the Victory Day celebrations there were almost daily rehearsals, closing off major streets and arteries unapologetically at various times of day and night to ensure that the troops were in perfect form for the 9th of May. 

We spend a few hours walking around the parade path the Saturday prior to the celebrations but were only able to catch a fleeting glimpse of a helicopter fly-past.

The streets were closed off and guarded by armed military personnel for a few blocks on either side of the parade route, barring access to casual and curious observers alike.

 

As Russian pride was depending on it, the parade participants had to put on a flawless performance.  I shudder the think what the consequences of a misstep would be.

On the day of the celebrations I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the events in Red Square through the modern miracle of live streaming.  With the surrounding metro stations closed, there was no chance that 'mere mortals' could gain access anywhere near to the Kremlin let alone penetrate its walls.  We didn't even bother to go downtown on the 9th.  What I was able to witness with my own eyes, however, was the procession of military vehicles that followed a 10km route through the city.

   

I just had to cross the Но́вый Арба́т bridge and found myself with a clear view of the best of what the military had to offer from service vehicles to tanks to trucks carrying rockets and nuclear missiles (the nukes were NOT attached TYVM).

**Mr. U made me add the 2nd video.  Apparently it's not Victory Day without a tank.  Who knew?!!

It made you feel very small and insignificant but at the same time it was strangely comforting to see the tools that were (potentially) being used to keep "us" safe from the evils and horrors of "the West".

С Днем Победы!  Happy Victory Day!