Su-30SM multipurpose fighter jets of the Russian Knights aerobatic display team during a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade air show.

Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the anti-fascist allies, who included the Soviet Union, over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. Since 1946, the former Soviet Union, former socialist Eastern European countries, other socialist countries, Russia, and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States have observed May 9 as Victory Day. Western European countries and the US celebrate Victory Day on May 8 when the Reims document took effect 72 years ago, under which Germany agreed to terms of capitulation. In the former Soviet Union, as well as in Russia and SNG states, Victory Day is a holiday celebrated in all major cities.

This year, Victory Day celebrations in 28 cities across Russia will involve 90,000 soldiers and modern weapons. Air defense weapons specifically designed for use in the Arctic will be showcased for the first time, including the Pantsir-SA and Tor-M2DT short-range missile and cannon systems as well as the Bal and Bastion coastal defense missile systems In another first, T-72B3M tanks will rumble across the cobblestones of Red Square on May 9. The traditional finale of the May 9 parade will be the legendary Strizhi (Swifts) and Russian Knights aerobatic teams of the Russian Air Force.

While the Swifts will be flying MiG-29 fighter jets, the Russian Knights will be showcasing a squadron of the new Su-30SM heavy fighters they got as recently as last fall.

Russia’s May 9 parade is a tradition which was suspended in 1990 after the Soviet Union collapsed and resumed in 1996 to become once again a major holiday in Russia.