BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Russia's V-Day parade

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10:14 GMT, Friday, 9 May 2008 11:14 UK

In pictures: Russia's V-Day parade

Russian soldiers ride across Red Square in an armoured personnel carrier during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

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Tanks and other military hardware have been paraded through Moscow's Red Square for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A Russian Topol-M ICBM drives across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

A Russian Topol-M ICBM drives across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

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On display at the V-Day parade were weapons such as the Topol-M ballistic missile.

Russian soldiers march during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008

Russian soldiers march during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008

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The annual ceremony commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. This year the Russian leadership revived the Communist-era custom of showing off hardware.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) sit with WWII veterans during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (C) sit with WWII veterans during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow

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Dmitry Medvedev, who was inaugurated as Russia's new president on Wednesday, watched the parade alongside his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

Russian soldiers ride across Red Square in an T-90 tank during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008

Russian soldiers ride across Red Square in an T-90 tank during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008

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Soldiers goose-stepped across the square, and rode in a T-90 tank. Observers say the Russian leadership was keen to show off the country's military might.

Russian soldiers wearing WWII-era replica uniforms march across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

Russian soldiers wearing WWII-era replica uniforms march across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

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The leaders insisted the event was not intended to threaten anyone. Some soldiers wore replica World War II uniforms.

Russian soldiers march across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008 carrying the flag of victory

Russian soldiers march across Red Square during a Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2008 carrying the flag of victory

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The cobbles of Red Square had to be reinforced to cope with the tanks and other heavy weaponry.

Russian soldiers march during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008.

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Commentators say that despite the show of force, the Russian army suffers from lack of money, a shortage of training, and low morale.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gives a speech during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gives a speech during a Victory Day Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2008

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But President Medvedev said Russia's army and navy were gaining strength.

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Related to this story:
Tanks rejoin Moscow V-Day parade (09 May 08 | Europe )

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